Night Owls Face Increased Cardiovascular Risks, Especially Women, New Study Finds
New research reveals that night owls face significantly higher cardiovascular risks than morning types, especially women, due to behavioral factors like smoking and poor sleep.
- • Night owls have a 79% higher prevalence of poor cardiovascular health compared to intermediate types.
- • Night owls face a 16% greater risk of heart attack or stroke over 14 years of follow-up.
- • Women night owls exhibit worse cardiovascular health outcomes than men.
- • Unhealthy behaviors like smoking and poor sleep contribute significantly to the increased risks among night owls.
Key details
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights significant cardiovascular health risks associated with being a 'night owl'—individuals who are more active during late hours. The research analyzed data from over 300,000 adults, averaging 57 years old, from the UK Biobank to evaluate how chronotypes, or natural sleep-wake preferences, impact cardiovascular health.
Approximately 8% of participants identified as 'definite night owls', characterized by late bedtimes around 2 a.m. and peak activity during nighttime, while 24-25% were 'definite morning people', going to bed as early as 9 p.m., and 67% were intermediate types. Using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metrics—including diet, physical activity, smoking, sleep quality, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure—researchers found night owls had a 79% higher prevalence of poor cardiovascular health scores compared to intermediate chronotypes. Moreover, over a 14-year average follow-up, night owls faced a 16% greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
The increased risk was notably more pronounced in women, who exhibited poorer cardiovascular health scores than men within the nocturnal group. Key contributors to these risks include unhealthy behaviors prevalent among night owls, such as smoking and inadequate sleep. Conversely, morning people showed a 5% lower prevalence of low cardiovascular health scores.
Lead author Sina Kianersi noted the role of circadian misalignment in driving harmful behaviors among evening types, while Kristen Knutson from the American Heart Association emphasized that these risks are not destiny. "Night owls can improve their cardiovascular health by addressing modifiable factors like smoking and sleep habits," she stated, advocating for considering individual chronotypes when tailoring interventions and treatment timings.
The study, while comprehensive, acknowledged limitations including limited diversity in participants and reliance on self-reported chronotype assessments. Nonetheless, it underlines the potential benefits of personalized lifestyle programs to help night owls mitigate cardiovascular risks and encourages awareness about the impact of daily rhythms on heart health.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
