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Night owls face higher heart risk
29 Jan
Summary
- Evening people show a 79% higher risk of poor cardiovascular health.
- Study analyzed 300,000 adults over 14 years for heart health link.
- Chronotype influences heart health, with morning people having better scores.
A recent study involving around 300,000 adults has revealed a stark correlation between being an "evening person" and poorer cardiovascular health. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research indicated that individuals who naturally stay up late face a 79% higher risk of diminished heart health compared to those with intermediate chronotypes.
The 14-year study, which focused on adults averaging 57 years old, utilized the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 score to assess heart health. It was observed that "night owls" also had a 16% increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Researchers suggest that "evening people" may experience social jetlag, where their internal body clock clashes with societal schedules. This can lead to lifestyle behaviors, such as irregular sleep patterns, poor diet, and smoking, which negatively impact cardiovascular health.
While morning individuals generally showed slightly better heart health scores, the link was more pronounced in women. The study acknowledges limitations, including its associative nature rather than proving causation, reliance on self-reported data, and a participant pool that may not represent the general population.
