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Study warns warm bedrooms could be a heart risk for older adults

It could increase cardiovascular stress in adults aged 65 and older

Updated:

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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
aerial view of a senior woman sleeping in her bed

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Key Insights

  • Warm bedroom nights may put older adults’ hearts under stress, especially when temperatures climb above about 75 °F.
  • A new study links higher overnight temperatures with poorer heart-rate recovery during sleep among adults 65+ — a group already vulnerable to cardiovascular strain.
  • Experts say older sleepers should consider keeping bedrooms cooler to support heart health as heat waves and warm nights become more frequent.

There’s another reason to turn down the thermostat at night during the winter. New research is sounding the alarm for older adults about a surprising heart-health risk: the temperature of the bedroom at night. 

According to a study recently published in the journal BMC Medicine, sleeping in a bedroom that gets too warm may interfere with the heart’s ability to recover overnight and could increase cardiovascular stress in adults aged 65 and older. 

The study, led by Dr. Fergus O’Connor of Griffith University in Australia, monitored 47 volunteers with an average age of 72 during the entire summer season. Participants wore heart-rate trackers while in-home sensors recorded their bedroom temperatures throughout the night, analyzing over 14,000 hours of sleep data.

What the data show

Researchers found that when bedroom temperatures exceeded roughly 75 °F (24 °C), older adults’ hearts showed clear signs of increased strain during sleep. At temperatures between 75 °F and 79 °F, the odds of clinically meaningful decreases in heart-rate variability—a key indicator of how well the heart recovers—increased by about 40 %. That risk doubled at 79 °F–82 °F and nearly tripled above 82 °F.

Heat forces the body to work harder: to cool down, blood is diverted toward the skin, and heart rate rises. Over the course of overnight rest, this added workload appears to diminish the heart’s ability to recuperate from daily stress, particularly in older adults whose thermoregulation and cardiovascular resilience are already reduced.

Why this matters now

Experts note that while public health guidelines exist for maximum daytime indoor temperatures (around 78 °F), there are currently no formal recommendations for optimal nighttime bedroom temperatures. With climate change driving hotter nights in many regions, this gap could leave older adults at a higher unrecognized risk. 

While it’s easier and cheaper to cool the bedroom during the winter, summer air conditioning season is another matter.

“Climate change is increasing the frequency of hot nights, which may independently contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by impairing sleep and autonomic recovery,” Dr. O’Connor said in the study report.

Practical tips for older adults

While more research is needed to establish formal temperature guidelines, the study suggests older adults may benefit from simple steps to keep their sleeping environment cooler:

  • Use air conditioning or fans to maintain bedroom temperatures around or below 75 °F when possible. 
  • Close curtains or blinds during the day to block heat from entering. 
  • Improve nighttime ventilation with open windows if safe and practical. 

Family members and caregivers should also be aware of the potential risk, especially on warm summer nights or during heat waves.

Sleep is a cornerstone of cardiovascular health. For older adults, ensuring a cooler bedroom may be more than a matter of comfort—it could support the heart’s nightly recovery, lower stress on the cardiovascular system, and contribute to long-term well-being. 

If you have concerns about bedroom temperature and heart health, discuss them with your health care provider.