Experts emphasize that night owls have options to improve their cardiovascular health. They add that night lovers are not inherently less healthy, which highlights the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle patterns. Kristen Knutson, a professor at Northwestern University in Chicago who was not part of the research team, stated: 'Programs targeted at people who are naturally night owls can help them improve their lifestyle behaviors and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.' Risks of Circadian Rhythm Disruption When circadian rhythms are strong, the body clock is well-aligned with the 24-hour day and sends clear signals for essential bodily functions. A recent study suggests that a late sleep pattern may carry serious health risks, including a higher likelihood of heart attack or stroke, re-raising the question of sleep regularity as a fundamental element in maintaining health. A new study reveals that individuals who stay up late and are highly active at night are more susceptible to poor cardiovascular health. According to the findings, night owls have a 16% higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared to early risers. Sina Kianersi, the lead author of the study from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said: 'Night owls often experience a misalignment of their circadian rhythm, meaning their internal clock may not sync with the natural light-dark cycle or their typical daily schedules.' He added that night owls are more prone to behaviors that can impact cardiovascular health, such as poorer diet quality, smoking, and insufficient sleep. The study, published in the journal of the American Heart Association, tracked over 300,000 adults with an average age of 57 to assess how their sleep habits affected their cardiovascular health. About eight percent of participants identified as 'definite evening types,' meaning they typically go to bed late and reach their peak activity late in the day. Cardiovascular health was measured by analyzing weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, as well as evaluating healthy diet, regular physical activity, non-smoking status, and sleep quality. Night owls showed a 79% higher prevalence of poor cardiovascular health. Researchers also found that the link between late sleep and poor cardiovascular health was stronger in women. The study has several limitations: the 'chronotype' (whether a person is a morning or evening type) was assessed with a single self-reported question at a single time point, which may not capture changes over a lifetime and could lead to some misclassification. Health experts suggest these findings can also be seen as a roadmap for healthy habits that lead to better heart health. Kristen Knutson, a professor at Northwestern University in Chicago not involved in the research, said: 'These results show that the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in evening types is partly due to modifiable behaviors like smoking and sleep.' People with stronger rhythms tend to maintain regular sleep and activity schedules even when their timings or the seasons change. Disruptions to the body clock, whether from irregular sleep or eating patterns, long-haul flights, shift work, or nighttime light exposure, have been linked to a range of health issues, including increased risks of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
