The sleep habit that quietly raises your risk of heart disease | Dr Kristen Knutson

About this episode

Dr Kristen Knutson discusses the impact of circadian health on sleep and heart disease.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Kristen Knutson to unpack circadian health and how timing influences our metabolism, cardiovascular health, and sleep quality. We discuss the role of morning light, meal timing, exercise, and regularity, and why modern lifestyles often push our biology out of sync. Dr Knutson also clarifies common misconceptions about melatonin, wearable sleep trackers, and what to do if you wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep. What We Cover What circadian health is and how disruption occurs in everyday life Why morning light is the strongest signal for your internal clock Meal timing basics, including why avoiding food close to bedtime matters Exercise timing and the simple rule most people should follow Sleep health beyond hours slept: quality, timing, and regularity Practical strategies for waking during the night and falling back asleep Understanding circadian rhythms can help you make small changes that support better sleep, better energy, and long-term health. To connect with the guest, follow Dr Kristen Knutson on LinkedIn and explore her research profile via Northwestern Feinberg. Intro (00:00) America’s 24/7 Problem…

People in this episode

Host: Simon Hill

Guest: Dr Kristen Knutson

Topics covered

• circadian health
• metabolism
• cardiovascular health
• sleep quality
• morning light
• meal timing
• exercise timing

Keywords

• circadian rhythms
• sleep health
• melatonin
• wearable sleep trackers
• meal timing
• exercise timing
• sleep quality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Northwestern Feinberg

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