Sina Kianersi Study Links Night Owls To Higher Heart Risk
Researchers found night owls had a 16% higher risk of first heart attack or stroke over 14 years in a nearly 323,000-person UK Biobank study.
FOX NewsSleep timing could directly impact chances of heart attack or stroke, study suggests
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USA TODAYWhy being a night owl may be worse for your heart
Associated PressBeing a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it
Overview
Sina Kianersi's team reported that night owls had a 16% higher risk of a first heart attack or stroke over 14 years in nearly 323,000 UK Biobank participants, according to the study published Wednesday.
The association was tied to worse scores on the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics, with night owls showing poorer sleep and higher nicotine exposure, researchers said.
Sina Kianersi said in a study statement that mismatch between internal clocks and typical schedules likely increases unhealthy behaviors, and Kristen Knutson of Northwestern said in an interview that circadian misalignment affects metabolism.
About 8% of participants classified themselves as evening chronotypes and 24% as morning types, the cohort's average age was 57 and the sample was mostly white, researchers reported.
Kianersi said he is studying genetic links to chronotype, researchers urged quitting smoking and regular sleep schedules, and they noted the observational study's limitations in mostly white, middle-aged adults.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this study neutrally, emphasizing facts, expert quotes, and limitations. They use measured language ("may be," "appears"), cite both study authors and independent experts, explain mechanisms (circadian rhythm, behavior links), note study limits, and emphasize practical, non‑alarmist health guidance.