A Tragic Case Raises Alarms About Nighttime Habits Many People Ignore

A 59-year-old man was rushed to hospital after suddenly collapsing at home and died five days later. According to doctors, the incident was linked to a combination of nighttime habits that many people mistakenly believe are harmless, including waking up in the middle of the night to drink water.

The case has prompted medical experts to issue a serious warning: certain routines during the night can significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and sudden death, especially in older adults or those with underlying health conditions.

Why nighttime can be a high-risk period

During sleep, the body naturally experiences:

• Lower heart rate

• Reduced blood pressure

• Slower blood circulation

Sudden changes — such as abruptly sitting up, standing, or drinking cold water — can trigger sharp fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rhythm. For vulnerable individuals, this can lead to acute cardiovascular events.

4 “harmless” habits doctors warn against

1. Getting up too suddenly from bed
Standing up quickly after deep sleep can cause blood pressure to drop or spike suddenly, increasing the risk of fainting, stroke, or cardiac arrest.

2. Drinking cold water in the middle of the night
Cold water may stimulate blood vessels to constrict, potentially triggering abnormal heart rhythms or vascular spasms.

3. Ignoring nighttime warning symptoms
Chest tightness, dizziness, numbness, or shortness of breath at night should never be dismissed as “just fatigue.”

4. Poor control of chronic conditions
Unmanaged hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease dramatically raises the risk of fatal events during sleep.

Doctors’ advice to reduce nighttime risk

Medical experts recommend:

• Sitting on the edge of the bed for 30–60 seconds before standing

• Drinking small sips of room-temperature water instead of cold water

• Keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control

• Seeking immediate medical help if unusual symptoms appear at night

A reminder for middle-aged and older adults

Doctors stress that aging bodies respond differently to sudden stimuli, especially at night. Habits that seem trivial can become life-threatening if combined with hidden health risks.

Conclusion

Waking up at night to drink water may appear harmless, but how and when it is done matters. Paying attention to nighttime routines, listening to warning signs, and managing chronic conditions can make a critical difference between safety and tragedy.