A study conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School has shown that people who identify as night owls have a higher risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems, with a 16% greater chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke compared to the average population.

The research highlights the importance of the circadian rhythm, the biological clock that regulates various bodily processes such as blood pressure and metabolism. Night owls often face challenges adapting to a daytime schedule, which can affect their overall health.

Unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, lack of sleep, and a poor diet, are more common among night owls.

Researchers emphasize that these behaviors contribute significantly to their deteriorating heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US The American Heart Association (AHA) has a list of eight key factors for better heart health: being physically active, avoiding tobacco, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight. Strategies to Mitigate Heart Risk Experts suggest that while it may not be possible to change the natural sleep cycle, maintaining regular sleep-wake schedules can be beneficial for heart health. The AHA recommends that adults get an average of seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to maintain optimal heart health. "When we sleep, we enter into physiological processes that help regenerate some of our tissues and brain neurotransmitters; in a way, we reboot," notes Dr. Maha. Alattar, medical director of the VCU Health Sleep Medicine Center in Richmond, Virginia, says, “All cells and tissues in the body depend on sleep to stay awake.”

They explain that one of the main problems for night owls is that they try to live in the world of early risers. “They get up early to go to work because that's when their work starts, but it may not align with their internal rhythm,” said Kristen Knutson of Northwestern University, who led the recent American Heart Association guide on circadian rhythms but was not involved in the new study, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Quitting smoking is noted as a crucial step for everyone, including lessons for improving heart health in individuals with diverse schedules.

The study was unable to examine what night owls do when the rest of the world is asleep.

However, Sina Kianersi, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who led the study, says that one of the best measures to protect heart health, for night owls as well as anyone else, is to quit smoking.

Effects on Mental Health

Being a chronic night owl increases the risk of long-term mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Studies show that this habit, rather than natural chronotype, drives these negative effects.

Main Risks. Night owls are 20-40% more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders, especially if they stay late hours. This worsens over time, as they develop new mental health problems during years of follow-up. Other impacts include increased suicidal ideation, self-harm, and a decline in quality of life.

Contributing Factors.

Staying up late encourages poor nighttime decisions, such as substance use, overeating, or impulsivity, due to post-midnight brain changes ("midnight brain"). Social isolation is common, as sleep schedules don't align with daytime society, exacerbating loneliness and stress. Even early risers who adopt nighttime patterns experience mental decline, although less than natural night owls. Recommendations: Going to bed before 1:00 am reduces risks, regardless of chronotype. Exposure to morning sunlight and maintaining consistent routines help readjust habits. You may also be interested in: When insomnia stops being normal; This popular sweetener can damage your heart and brain. But did not participate in the new study, reports the Associated Press (AP).

Quitting smoking is noted as a crucial step for everyone, including lessons for improving heart health in individuals with diverse schedules.

The study could not examine what night owls do when the rest of the world sleeps. However, Sina Kianersi, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who led the study, says that one of the best measures to protect heart health, for night owls as well as anyone else, is to quit smoking.

Effects on mental health

Being a chronic night owl increases the risk of long-term mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Studies show that this habit, rather than natural chronotype, drives these negative effects.

Main risks. Night owls are 20-40% more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders, especially if they stay late hours. This worsens over time, as they develop new mental health problems during years of follow-up. Other impacts include increased suicidal ideation, self-harm,and a decline in quality of life.

Contributing factors. Staying up late encourages poor nighttime decisions, such as substance use, overeating, or impulsivity, due to post-midnight brain changes (“midnight mind”). Social isolation is common, as sleep schedules don't align with daytime society, exacerbating loneliness and stress. Even early risers who adopt nighttime patterns experience mental decline, although less than natural night owls.

Recommendations. Going to bed before 1:00 am reduces risks, regardless of chronotype. Exposure to morning sunlight and maintaining consistent routines help reset habits.