Night Owl Habits Harm Heart Health

A large study led by Sina Kianersi of Brigham and Women s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, published in the American Heart Association, found that people who are 'night owls' have poorer overall heart health and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared to 'morning people' or 'intermediates'. The study, which tracked over 300,000 middle-aged and older adults in the UK Biobank for 14 years, revealed that night owls had a 16% higher risk of a first heart attack or stroke. This increased risk is attributed to a mismatch between their internal circadian rhythm and typical daily schedules, leading to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, insufficient sleep, and poor diet. Kristen Knutson of Northwestern University provided commentary, emphasizing that while night owls are not inherently less healthy, they face challenges that make maintaining a healthy lifestyle particularly important. The American Heart Association's 'Life's Essential 8' metrics were used to assess cardiovascular health in the study.