Study finds night owls may face higher risk of heart disease, especially women

If you’re someone who naturally stays up late, new research suggests you may want to pay closer attention to your heart health.

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who identify as “night owls” are more likely to have poor cardiovascular health and face a higher risk of heart disease compared to those with earlier or more neutral sleep schedules.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 322,000 adults in the UK Biobank, a long-term health study involving participants from England, Scotland and Wales. Participants reported whether they were morning types, intermediate sleepers or evening types, also known as night owls.

The study found that evening types were about 79% more likely to have poor overall heart health and had a 16% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack or stroke, over nearly 14 years of follow-up. The association was especially strong among women.

Scientists evaluated participants using the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8,” which measures factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep quality, smoking, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

Experts say night owls were more likely to have unhealthy habits, including poor diets, less exercise and higher smoking rates. Irregular sleep schedules and inconsistent meal timing may also contribute to increased risk.

The research does not prove that staying up late directly causes heart disease, but it highlights a strong connection between sleep patterns and overall cardiovascular health.

Doctors emphasize that being a night owl does not make heart disease inevitable. Experts recommend focusing on controllable factors such as getting consistent sleep, staying physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking, and keeping up with routine health screenings.

Researchers also suggest getting morning light exposure when possible and maintaining regular sleep and wake times to help support the body’s internal clock.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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