Researchers find minor changes to heart structure associated with light exposure during night-time sleep

(NBC, KYMA) - Make sure you sleep in the dark, and your heart will thank you.

That's according to a study published in the European Heart Journal this week.

Researchers found that noticeable increases in light exposure during night-time sleep were associated with minor changes to the heart's structure.

While those changes look small, they have been linked with cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Researchers said that darkness during night-time sleep is just as crucial to your heart health as blood pressure control and clean air.