Daylight saving time: Why moving the clock forward increases risk of heart attacks
Effects of daylight saving time on health and four other facts about changing the clocks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Early Sunday morning, people in the US will spring forward, that is they will set their clocks forward one hour for the twice-annual rite of daylight saving time.
The days will be later as springtime approaches, but there is more to daylight saving time than just more time spent outdoors. Here are five things to know about daylight saving time, including increased health risks the day after the clocks go forward.
When should I set my clock forward?
Daylight saving time officially begins at 2 am on Sunday, 8 March and lasts until 2 am on 1 November. If you are early to bed, just pop that clock forward one hour before you go to sleep and you will on the right time when you wake up.
Why do we observe daylight saving time?
All US states, minus Arizona and Hawaii, observe daylight saving time, which was instituted as a way to save energy by moving an additional hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Numerous studies have shown that moving clocks forward actually does save energy.
Aside from getting one less hour of sleep on Sunday and getting more light in the evening, daylight saving time doesn’t affect me, does it?
Actually, it may have a more averse effect than it seems. A study done by Dr Amneet Sandhu, a cardiology fellow at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, shows that on the Monday immediately after daylight saving time heart attacks increase by 25 per cent, Reuters reported.
On the Monday after daylight saving time ends, heart attacks fall by 21 per cent. Dr Sandhu said the loss of sleep is the likely culprit of the increase of heart attacks seen after the clocks move forward, so make sure you get plenty of sleep on Sunday.
Who conceived the idea of daylight saving time?
This is up for debate, but the origin of daylight saving time is commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote an essay in 1784 about how changing time could save energy, according to CNN.
When did daylight saving time become popular?
Germany and its allies in World War I were the first countries to adopt daylight saving time as a way to conserve energy for the war effort. Britain, other countries in Europe, Canada and the US followed suit.
Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments