Night owls face greater risk of heart attacks and strokes
A fresh investigation involving many participants indicates those favoring nighttime activity tend toward weaker heart function, along with increased chances of cardiac arrest and cerebrovascular incidents. This link appears rooted more in daily habits than in bedtime patterns by themselves.
TL;DR
A study involving over 320,000 adults showed night owls face poorer heart conditions. Their likelihood of experiencing heart attacks or strokes rises by 16 percent. This pattern links closely to habits like tobacco use. Sleep duration tends to be reduced in these individuals. Metabolic influences also play a role. Patterns emerge clearly when data is reviewed. Health trends point toward consistent outcomes.
Earlier rising linked to lower cardiovascular issues appears in fresh research. Night-time preference tied to increased stroke likelihood shows midweek medical report. Those favoring late hours face elevated dangers compared to morning types suggests journal findings. Flexible rest cycles associate with better outcomes notes analysis released recently.
From a pool of over 320,000 adults aged 39 to 74 in the UK, information on health and daily habits was gathered. Though they chose their own categories, morning, evening, or neither, the grouping relied on personal perception. Following this classification, heart-related wellness was examined through Life’s Essential 8, a method defined by the American Heart Association. Standardized scoring allowed comparison across individuals regardless of timing preference. Each participant's results reflected how alignment with circadian tendencies might relate to overall cardiac condition.
Built into Life’s Essential 8 are four habits tied to daily living, what one eats, how much movement occurs each day, nightly rest length, alongside contact with tobacco, not separate from these, measured health markers appear: force of blood against artery walls, weight relative to height, glucose present in circulation, plus lipids moving through vessels.
Those labeling themselves night-oriented scored worse on heart wellness measures when placed beside middle-category individuals. Rather than aligning with healthier patterns, these persons faced nearly four-fifths greater odds of weak cardiac ratings. In parallel, their chances for experiencing either infarction or cerebral incident rose by one in six. Individuals favoring early hours displayed marginally favorable results. A modest decline, around one twentieth below average, marked their likelihood of diminished circulatory condition.
It is clear, according to Kristen Knutson, associate professor of neurology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, also recognized as a fellow by the American Heart Association, that sleep schedules do not operate in isolation from everyday behaviors. Instead, patterns unfold through subtle links across routines followed each day.
“These are the factors the American Heart Association has identified as cardiovascular disease risk factors,” Knutson told ABC News. “They are all correlated with one another, even though people may experience them in different combinations.”
It appears roughly three-quarters of the heightened heart-related danger seen in night-oriented individuals came from elements beyond just when they slept. Smoking played the largest role, making up one-third of the link between sleeping later and cardiovascular issues. A reduced amount of sleep accounted for nearly one-seventh of the elevated likelihood. Elevated glucose levels, body mass, and food choices each added around an eleventh to a twelfth of the total effect.
“It is not being a night owl that is the problem,” Knutson said. “The issue is trying to live in a society that operates on an early schedule when your internal clock is set later.”
Unexpectedly, the research pointed to contrasts between genders. Among those favoring late hours, females faced a 96 percent rise in low cardiovascular wellness ratings when measured against mid-pattern sleepers, this contrast stood at 67 percent among males. Still, no elevated occurrence of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular incidents appeared in women.
It could be social norms that account for the difference, according to Dr. Sonia Tolani. She works in preventive cardiology. Her position is associate professor of medicine at Columbia University.
“Women are often under more strain because they still carry a large share of caregiving responsibilities,” Tolani told ABC News.
Despite advances in medicine, heart disease continues to claim more lives than any other condition across the U.S., data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Shifting attention toward daily habits may matter most when it comes to those regularly going to bed late, scientists suggest.
Experts noted that giving up cigarettes along with setting regular bedtimes may benefit the heart. When meals shift toward whole foods, improvement often follows. Movement throughout the day, even light steps, contributes over time. Stability in routines tends to support stronger outcomes. Long-term patterns matter more than short bursts. Choices made daily shape cardiovascular resilience gradually.