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Circadian medicine: a critical strategy for cardiac care

In patients with an acute myocardial infarction, disrupted circadian rhythms during the initial days in the cardiac intensive care unit, caused by factors such as noise, excessive night-time light and frequent patient–staff interactions, can have devastating effects on cardiac repair and long-term prognosis. Providing care that aligns with the patient’s natural circadian rhythms is critical for optimum long-term recovery. Incorporating ‘circadian medicine’ into clinical practice will provide important health-care benefits.

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Fig. 1: Circadian medicine is a critical strategy for cardiac care.

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Correspondence to Tami A. Martino.

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Sole, M.J., Martino, T.A. Circadian medicine: a critical strategy for cardiac care. Nat Rev Cardiol 20, 715–716 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-023-00925-8

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