I’ve always struggled with inconsistent sleep, staying up late and waking up at different times each day. My love for coffee was also on an all-time high with trying all the season specials. But it is only recently, I learned how this irregular sleep pattern and caffeine could increase my risk of heart attack and stroke. Now, I’m prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and cutting out caffeine after 3 PM to protect my heart.

A new, shocking study shows that irregular sleep patterns can greatly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. But that's not all: the timing of your caffeine intake could also play a critical role in your cardiovascular health. If you are struggling with inconsistent sleep patterns and regularly sipping on caffeinated beverages late in the day, you may be unknowingly putting yourself at risk for serious heart-related issues.

For most people, sleep is something of a given and we often only consider ourselves as long as we get our required seven to nine hours. However, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, it may not be that long after all. The study, which included more than 72,000 participants, found that people with irregular sleep patterns—those who fall asleep and wake up at vastly different times each day—face a 26% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. This increased risk persisted even for those who managed to get enough sleep. The study followed up participants for eight years to track heart events such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. The conclusions were clear: irregular sleep, even if it's sufficient in duration, is a major cardiovascular risk factor.

The researchers found that those whose sleep patterns were highly irregular had a significantly greater chance of life-threatening heart issues. The more erratic your sleep schedule, the greater the risk, regardless of how many hours you sleep. In fact, people with irregular sleep schedules showed worse cardiovascular health outcomes, including higher rates of high blood pressure, elevated stress hormones, and poor blood sugar and cholesterol management.

Senior scientist Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput said "sleep regularity may be more relevant than sufficient sleep duration in modulating MACE [major adverse cardiovascular event] risk." In the study, it shows that our bodies are comfortable with consistency, and a varied sleep schedule may interfere with other processes that keep us healthy, especially the heart.

Is it Caffeine After 3 PM Causing Sleeplessness?

Another daily habit that may be putting your heart at risk is caffeine consumption after 3 PM. According to Dr. Chaput, the experts emphasize the need for a healthy sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine late in the day. Caffeine can stay in your blood for up to eight hours, and its consumption later in the afternoon can disrupt your sleep cycle.

Consistent, good-quality sleep is necessary for maintaining healthy cardiovascular function, and the disruption of this by late-day caffeine intake exacerbates the risks posed by irregular sleep. When you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages too late, the stimulant effect on your nervous system makes it harder to fall asleep at a regular time. This can lead to inconsistent sleep patterns, which, as we have seen, can be harmful to heart health.

Dr Chaput insists that humans need to adopt practices that contribute to regularized sleep habits. This can be attained by establishing a proper sleeping and waking schedule, eliminating afternoon intake of stimulants such as caffeine, and making your body clock coincide with the lifestyle one leads.

How Does Poor Sleep Affect Heart Health?

According to the experts, the disturbance due to irregular sleep patterns impacts more than one physiological process involved in the maintenance of the healthy heart. For example, poor sleep can be associated with increased inflammation of the body, weakened immunity, and altered regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol, all of which contribute to increased blood pressure and weakening endothelial function, both associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Sleep also plays a very important role in regulating stress hormones. Poor or disturbed sleep results in increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which increases blood pressure and can have negative impacts on cardiovascular health over time.

Scientists hypothesize that these disturbances trigger a series of negative effects that enhance the risk of developing chronic heart conditions, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, or even heart failure.

Tips to Protect Your Heart and Improve Your Sleep

In order to protect your heart, experts recommend several proactive measures to improve your sleep patterns and lifestyle. First, maintain a regular sleep schedule whereby you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Consistency will keep your body's internal clock in check.

Along with regulating your sleep, paying attention to your caffeine habits is just as important. To reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, experts suggest avoiding caffeine after 3 PM. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, this rule becomes even more critical.

In addition, the introduction of stress-reducing activities like yoga or mindfulness can also be beneficial to lower cortisol levels, and therefore both sleep and heart health can improve. A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and low on processed sugars also helps maintain cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation.

Does Your Sleep Environment Also Has A Role To Play

Apart from the timing of caffeine and your sleep schedule, another very overlooked factor is the quality of your sleep environment. Scientists have long known that the environment in which you sleep has a huge impact on the quality of your rest. Poor quality of sleep, even if your sleep schedule is regular, can cause health risks that are very much the same as those that arise from irregular sleep patterns.

Here’s an additional tip: make sure your bedroom is conducive to restful sleep. This means keeping your room dark, quiet, and cool. A temperature of around 65°F (18°C) is ideal for most people. Consider investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows, and avoid screen time at least 30 minutes before bed to allow your brain to unwind.

Irregular sleep, in association with taking caffeine in late parts of the day, can risk heart attack and stroke, but a simple maintenance of a sleep schedule, the reduction of consumption of afternoon caffeine, and sleep environmental awareness can definitely safeguard one's heart along with total health.

Your sleep is more than just a time for rest; it's a vital component of your long-term health, and maintaining consistency in your sleep habits is one of the best things you can do for your heart.

A 30-year-old law student with Type 1 diabetes was hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after allegedly being advised to stop insulin while following the “VRK Diet” promoted by social media personality Veeramachineni Ramakrishna, popularly known as VRK.

According to the complaint, the student had been living with Type 1 diabetes since 2018. He alleged that he came across VRK’s social media videos claiming that the diet could permanently cure conditions including Type 1 diabetes, cancer and kidney disease.

The student later visited the VRK Health Care Centre in Hyderabad in September 2025, where he alleged that he was orally advised to stop taking insulin. He said he paid around ₹26,000 for supplements and services at the center.

Two days later, he was admitted to a private hospital with DKA and severe dehydration, according to the complaint. He was later discharged.

Hyderabad police have booked Ramakrishna and another person in an alleged fake-doctor and fraud case.

Why Type 1 Diabetes Patients Must Never Stop Insulin

Also read: Gut Microbiome Linked To 3x Higher Type 1 Diabetes Risk In Children

More than 9 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Type 1 diabetes, including about 1.8 million children and adolescents.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce insulin. Insulin helps glucose move from the blood into cells, where it is used for energy. People with Type 1 diabetes therefore need insulin to control their blood glucose.

“Insulin is not optional in Type 1 diabetes,” Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said in a post on X.

He advised people with Type 1 diabetes to never stop insulin on their own, including when they are unwell or unable to eat.

“Insulin doses may sometimes need adjustment, but this should be done with guidance from your diabetes team,” he said.

What Happens If Insulin Is Stopped?

The NHS UK explains that the human body needs insulin to break down glucose, i.e. sugar, to turn it into energy. People who have type 1 diabetes need insulin devices as their own body cannot produce it.

When the body does not have enough insulin, it cannot properly use glucose for energy. It starts breaking down fat instead, producing chemicals called ketones.

If ketones build up in the blood, they can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.

DKA can develop when there is too little insulin, including when a person with Type 1 diabetes misses insulin doses.

Dr Kumar advised people with Type 1 diabetes to regularly monitor their blood glucose and check blood or urine ketones when indicated, particularly during illness or persistent high blood sugar.

Also read: H. pylori, HPV Among Five Infections Behind 1 In 8 Cancers Worldwide: Lancet

Warning Signs Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Dr Kumar said people with Type 1 diabetes should know the warning signs of DKA, including:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Rapid or deep breathing
• Drowsiness or confusion

Anyone with symptoms suggestive of DKA should seek urgent medical care.

Can Diet Or Supplements Replace Insulin?

Type 1 diabetes is an incurable condition. Dr Kumar warned people to be extremely cautious about claims that Type 1 diabetes can be “cured” through supplements, diets, herbs or alternative treatments that allow insulin to be stopped.

“Check the qualifications and registration of anyone giving medical advice. Social-media popularity is NOT a substitute for medical training,” he said.

“One wrong piece of advice can have life-threatening consequences. For Type 1 diabetes, evidence-based medical care and uninterrupted access to insulin are essential,” he added.

Climate change is increasingly affecting human health, with the skin potentially among the first organs to show its effects, according to a new international study.

The analysis of 136 countries found that 42.6% reported climate-related changes in the prevalence, severity or both of skin diseases.

Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026, the study found that lower-income countries reported a greater burden.

Lower-Income Countries Report Greater Impact

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More than half of low-income countries (55.6%) and lower-middle-income countries (52.5%) reported climate-related changes in skin disease.

This compared with 43.8% of upper-middle-income and 28.3% of high-income countries.

Regional differences were also substantial:

• Western Pacific: 64.7%
• Eastern Mediterranean: 60%
• South-East Asia: 60%
• Europe: 16.1%

In Africa, 42.9% of respondents were unsure about climate change's impact on skin disease, suggesting gaps in surveillance and evidence.

Heat Rashes, Inflammatory Skin Diseases Rising

Among the 58 countries reporting climate-related effects, the most commonly reported changes included:

• Heat rashes: 81%
• Inflammatory skin diseases: 75.9%
• Infectious skin diseases: 62.1%
• Vector-borne diseases: 50%

“The most important finding from our study is that climate change is already associated with negative impacts on skin disease, and these effects disproportionately burden lower-income settings,” said Dr. Esther Freeman, study author and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

How Climate Change Affects Skin

Read More: World Environment Day 2026: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Global Disease Burden | Explained

Rising temperatures, humidity, changing rainfall, air pollution and other environmental exposures can influence both the onset and severity of skin conditions.

Freeman said higher temperatures and humidity can increase sweating and skin irritation, while heat and air pollution may trigger or worsen inflammation.

“Shifts in temperature and rainfall can also affect the habitats of mosquitoes, ticks and other disease vectors, potentially allowing them to survive in places where they were previously uncommon,” she added.

Why Lower-Income Countries Face Greater Risks

The findings point to a wider climate-health disparity. Countries with fewer resources reported more climate-related changes in skin disease, despite generally contributing less to climate change.

These countries may also have fewer resources for disease surveillance, healthcare and climate adaptation.

The researchers called for stronger monitoring, greater awareness among healthcare professionals and locally tailored strategies.

Extreme Weather Can Trigger Skin Problems

The skin is constantly exposed to environmental conditions, making it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events like flooding, wildfire smoke, etc.

• Flooding: It can increase traumatic injuries and bacterial or fungal infections, while contaminated water can trigger contact dermatitis.
• Wildfire smoke: Smoke and air pollution can worsen skin inflammation, including eczema.
• Heat waves: Prolonged exposure can aggravate inflammatory skin conditions and, in severe cases, contribute to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Hot and humid weather: These conditions may increase some bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

As climate patterns change, the researchers said stronger surveillance and greater awareness of these emerging skin-health risks will be increasingly important.

Freeman stressed the need “to start treating skin health as part of climate-health preparedness.”

Key priorities include:

• Strengthening surveillance
• Improving climate-health education
• Developing locally relevant adaptation strategies
• Accounting for differences in healthcare resources.

Diabetes at 35 and diabetes at 60 are not the same. As we grow older, the way diabetes presents, the complications we worry about and even the way we treat it can change. This is why diabetes care after 60 needs to look beyond a single blood test.

HbA1c remains an important measure of average blood sugar over the previous few months. But for an older adult, it cannot be the only measure of good diabetes care.

Diabetes Symptoms Can Be Silent in Older Adults

One of the challenges with diabetes in older people is that symptoms may not always be obvious. A person may not experience the typical excessive thirst, frequent urination or unexplained weight loss, even when blood sugar levels are high.

At the same time, older adults can be more vulnerable to diabetes-related complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. Vision problems are particularly important because loss of vision can directly affect mobility, confidence and independence.

This makes regular screening essential, even when a person feels completely well.

The Same HbA1c Target Does Not Suit Everyone

There is no single HbA1c cut-off that is appropriate for every older adult. Treatment goals need to consider age, overall health, cognitive function, physical function, existing complications and the person's ability to manage treatment independently. Current diabetes standards specifically recommend individualising glycaemic goals in older adults.

For example, a healthy 65-year-old who is active and independent may have very different treatment goals from an 80-year-old who is frail, has multiple medical conditions or needs help with daily activities.

The goal should be good blood sugar control without causing unnecessary harm, particularly hypoglycaemia.

Treatment After 60 May Need to Be Different

As people age, kidney function can change, meals may become irregular and multiple medicines may be prescribed for different conditions. These factors can increase the risk of low blood sugar and make complex treatment plans harder to follow.

Therefore, doctors may need to review medicines regularly and simplify treatment when appropriate. The focus should be on finding a treatment plan that is effective, safe and practical for that individual.

Look Beyond Blood Sugar

A comprehensive diabetes review in an older adult should also consider:

• Eye and retinal health
• Kidney function
• Blood pressure and cholesterol
• Foot and nerve health
• Risk of hypoglycaemia
• Nutrition and unintended weight loss
• Muscle strength and mobility
• Memory and cognitive function
• Risk of falls
• Ability to take medicines and manage diabetes independently

The aim is not simply to produce a better HbA1c report. It is to prevent complications while helping the person remain active and independent.

Nutrition and Exercise Should Protect Independence

Older adults with diabetes need adequate nutrition, particularly protein and other nutrients needed to maintain muscle mass. Excessive dietary restriction can sometimes do more harm than good.

Physical activity is equally important. Walking, strength exercises and balance activities, when medically appropriate, can help maintain mobility and reduce the risk of losing independence.

Growing Older Well With Diabetes

Diabetes management after 60 should be personalised and regularly reassessed. What is appropriate at 60 may not be appropriate at 75 or 85.

As we mark the International Day of Older Persons, the message is simple: living well with diabetes in later life is about much more than achieving a particular HbA1c.

We need to treat the person, not just the number — protecting their health, safety, dignity and independence as they grow older.

By Dr. Uthra S, Senior Consultant, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre