Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Sleeping With Lights On May Affect Cardiovascular Health
Our bodies use darkness to know when it is time to sleep.
Light helps the body know when it is daytime.
Sleeping with a room light, television, or bright device nearby may confuse the body’s internal clock.
It may also lower melatonin, a substance involved in sleep.
Over time, this disruption may affect blood pressure.
It may also affect heart rate and metabolism.
These body functions are connected to heart health.
Dr. Rasesh Pothiwala says darkness is an important part of healthy sleep.
Darkness helps the body follow its natural day-night rhythm during sleep.
Room lights, television, and excessive electronic-device light may interfere with the body’s internal clock.
Light exposure during sleep can reduce melatonin production, according to Dr. Rasesh Pothiwala.
Over time, disrupted sleep rhythms may affect blood pressure regulation and heart rate.
Metabolism may also be affected, potentially linking nighttime light exposure to cardiovascular health.
- Who
- Dr. Rasesh Pothiwala, Director of Cardiology at Sterling Hospitals, provided the explanation.
- What
- Sleeping with lights, a television, or excessive electronic-device light may disrupt the body’s internal clock and affect cardiovascular-related functions.
- When
- The article discusses effects that may occur during sleep and over time.
- Where
- The article does not specify a location for the sleep-related effects.
- Why
- Light during sleep may reduce melatonin production and disrupt the body’s natural day-night rhythm.
- Expert
- Dr. Rasesh Pothiwala
- Institution
- Sterling Hospitals
- Relevant specialty
- Cardiology
- Light sources mentioned
- Room lights, television, and excessive light from electronic devices
- Potential effects
- Changes to blood pressure regulation, heart rate, and metabolism
- Sleep-related hormone
- Melatonin
- Main recommendation
- Darkness is described as an important part of healthy sleep.