Key result
Wearable-measured sleep over 9 hours is linked to ~47% higher incident AF risk.
Why the study?
Most studies linking sleep and AF rely on self-reported data or lack sleep architecture details, leaving the predictive role of objectively measured sleep parameters underexplored.
Do objectively measured sleep parameters affect the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in a diverse adult population?
Cohort (n=52,952)
Yes
Do objectively measured sleep parameters affect the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in a diverse adult population?
Hazard Ratio: 1.47 (95% CI 1.12–1.94)
p-value: p=0.004
Objectively measured sleep parameters using wearables demonstrate that prolonged total sleep, increased light sleep, reduced deep sleep, and extended daytime napping are independent predictors of incident atrial fibrillation.
Prolonged sleep should not yet alter AF prevention; extends self-reported links with objective wearables but leaves causality open.
BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests a link between sleep and atrial fibrillation (AF). Most published studies are limited by the use of self-reported data or absence of information regarding sleep architecture. The predictive role of objectively measured sleep parameters for incident AF remains underexplored. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to examine associations between objectively measured sleep parameters, including total sleep duration and sleep stages and incident AF in a large, diverse cohort. METHODS: We analyzed data from 52,952 participants in the All of Us Research Program with wearable-derived sleep data and no baseline AF, followed for a median of 935 days. Subjects with total sleep under 3 hours or over 16 hours were excluded. Incident AF (n = 437; 0.84%) was identified via electronic health records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRs adjusted for demographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates. RESULTS: : 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12-1.94). Duration of deep and rapid eye movement sleep was inversely associated with AF, whereas light sleep and nonmain sleep ≥2 hours were associated with increased risk (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.23-2.20 vs 1-2 hours). CONCLUSIONS: Wearable-derived sleep parameters are independently associated with AF risk. Prolonged total and nonmain sleep, reduced deep and REM sleep, and increased light sleep are independently associated with incident AF, supporting their potential role in AF risk stratification and prevention.
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Yazdanpanah et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Incident Atrial Fibrillation (n=52,952). Prolonged total sleep duration (>9 hours) vs. Normal sleep duration (6-9 hours) was evaluated on Incident Atrial Fibrillation (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.12-1.94, p=0.004). Prolonged total sleep duration (>9 hours) objectively measured by wearable monitors was associated with a 47% increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (HR 1.47) compared to 6-9 hours of sleep.
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