Turning the clocks forward for daylight saving in the springtime poses a greater risk of a heart attack, new research has shown.

According to a Swedish study, losing an hour of sleep may be the cause of the increase in heart problems.

Researchers in Stockholm found there were more heart attacks in the first three days after the springtime shift with women more vulnerable to the changes than men, Reuters reported.

Authors Dr Imre Janzsky and Dr Rickard Ljung said: "Our data suggests that vulnerable people might benefit from avoiding sudden changes in their biologic rhythms."

When clocks turn back in the fall, resulting in an extra hour in bed, the risk of a heart attack lowers, they found.

Men are more protected from this shift in time, which takes place in North America on November 2nd this year.

Researchers found people under the age of 65 were more susceptible to the changes, possibly because older people lived more independently to the clock.