ABSTRACT.This paper highlights the relation between health, lifestyle, sleep and circadian rhythm in disease, using a holistic theory of health, for subjects with, for example, coronary heart disease, nursed in intensive care or post‐operative ward following coronary arterial by‐pass surgery. The paper will also illuminate the World Health Organization's health targets nine and 13–17, adopted by the Member States of the European Region, about the relevance of lifestyle and its influence on the subject̂s health values for patients with coronary heart disease.Sleep is affected by a person's own will, repertoire and circumstance, both internal and external. It plays a meaningful part in maintaining good health. Disturbance of sleep leads to change in circadian rhythm and is an early symptom of psychophysiological and social ill health, independent of disease. It influences a person's values, actions and ability to adjust. Disturbance of sleep over longer periods leads to disease.Patients who have undergone, for example, coronary arterial by‐pass surgery are expected to change their lifestyle. It is therefore important that the nurse can define the subject̂s sleep patterns and circadi