A recent Australian study has uncovered a troubling connection between artificial light exposure at night and an increased risk of serious heart conditions.

Conducted by researchers at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, the study highlights the cardiovascular dangers of spending too much time under the glow of mobile screens, televisions, and bright indoor lighting after dark. Their findings suggest that nighttime light exposure may significantly disrupt the body’s natural biological rhythms, heightening the likelihood of conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.

Even when accounting for lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, smoking habits, sleep duration, and body weight, the harmful impact of artificial light remained consistent, the researchers noted.

At the heart of the issue is the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that regulates essential functions like sleep, blood pressure, and heart rate. Prolonged artificial lighting in the evening, especially from screens, interferes with this rhythm, leading to imbalances in hormonal and cardiovascular activity.

“The body isn’t wired to function under bright light during nighttime hours,” one of the study’s authors explained. “Artificial lighting can disturb hormone levels and stress the heart’s normal operations.”

The research also revealed notable gender and age differences in vulnerability. Women appeared to face a greater risk of heart failure, while younger people were more prone to develop irregular heartbeats.

In response to the findings, health professionals are urging the public to limit evening screen time and adopt softer lighting in the hours before sleep. Experts suggest practical steps like powering down digital devices at least an hour before bed and using warm-toned, dim lighting to create a more sleep-friendly environment.

“These are small adjustments,” researchers emphasized, “but they can have a profound impact on heart health over time.”

The study adds to a growing body of evidence that the digital habits of modern life — particularly at night — may come with unintended health consequences, especially for the heart.