Research suggests that 'evening type' individuals may be at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, potentially linked to lifestyle factors and conflicts between internal and social clocks. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing lifestyle factors like smoking, sleep regularity, and diet to mitigate cardiovascular risk.
A new study published on Wednesday reveals a potential link between being a ' night owl ' and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The research, which appeared in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggests that individuals who identify as 'evening type' have poorer cardiovascular health profiles compared to those categorized as 'intermediate' or 'morning type.' This poorer health is associated with a 16% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
The study's findings highlight the complex interplay between circadian rhythms, lifestyle choices, and cardiovascular health, particularly emphasizing the impact of living against one's internal clock in a society often geared towards morning schedules.\The study analyzed data from over 320,000 British adults aged 39 to 74, incorporating both survey responses and biometric measurements. Participants self-identified their chronotype—whether they were 'definite morning' people, 'definite evening' people, or somewhere in between ('intermediate'). Researchers then assessed each person's heart health using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. The LE8 score considers a combination of health behaviors and health factors. The health behaviors include diet quality, physical activity, sleep duration, and nicotine exposure. The health factors encompass blood pressure, body mass index, blood sugar levels, and blood fat levels. The study found that evening people were significantly more likely (79%) to have poor overall heart health compared to those in the intermediate group. While morning people showed slightly better cardiovascular health scores than the intermediate group, the evening types faced the highest risk. Kristen Knutson, an associate professor specializing in sleep and circadian rhythm research, emphasized that the identified risk factors within the LE8 score are interconnected and can manifest in various combinations. The study also determined that approximately 75% of the elevated risk among evening types could be attributed to these other LE8 factors, rather than sleep timing alone.\The study's insights underscore the importance of addressing lifestyle factors to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Nicotine use emerged as a significant contributor to the link between late bedtimes and heart disease, accounting for 34% of the association. Shorter sleep duration, high blood sugar, body weight, and diet quality also played significant roles in the increased risk. Women, in particular, displayed a greater vulnerability to the negative health impacts associated with being a night owl, with a 96% higher likelihood of lower LE8 scores compared to 67% in men, although the increased risk of heart attack or stroke was not significantly different. Experts suggest that the conflict between a night owl's internal clock and the demands of a society geared towards early risers can lead to stress and unhealthy behaviors. Recommendations for improving cardiovascular health include quitting smoking, establishing regular sleep patterns, and making small, manageable lifestyle changes, such as incorporating short walks or reducing salt intake. Addressing these factors can help people improve cardiovascular health regardless of their chronotype. Dr. Sonia Tolani highlighted that women's lifestyle and responsibilities often exacerbate the stresses associated with their chronotype. Prioritizing small changes is also key to improving cardiovascular health
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