Night Owls Face 16% Higher Heart Attack and Stroke Risk, Large Study Finds

Overview

• Researchers analyzed more than 300,000 adults for roughly 14 years in a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
• Participants who identified as evening types reported bedtimes around 2 a.m. and showed poorer overall cardiovascular health scores.
• About three quarters of the added risk in late sleepers was attributed to behaviors such as smoking, low physical activity, poorer diet, irregular or short sleep, and higher body weight.
• Cardiovascular health was assessed using the Life’s Essential 8 metrics covering tobacco use, sleep, exercise, diet, body weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
• Coverage notes the association was stronger in women, and experts say adopting regular sleep schedules and healthier routines could lessen risk for late sleepers.