Experts Warn: Staying Up Late May Harm Heart Health and Increase Stroke Risk

A new study has revealed that people who stay up late, often referred to as “night owls,” may face a higher risk of cardiovascular events. Researchers published the findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlighting a link between late bedtimes and poorer heart health.

The research team explained that being a night owl may indicate underlying circadian rhythm disruption, which interferes with the body’s natural sleep–wake cycle. Earlier studies have shown that a mismatch between the body clock and the natural light–dark cycle can lead to cardiometabolic problems, similar to the elevated risks seen in shift workers.

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Despite the findings, researchers emphasized that many of the associated risk factors are modifiable. Speaking to Healthline, Dr. Sina Kianersi, postdoctoral research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said the issue is not that a chronotype is inherently good or bad, but that night owls often have a less favorable overall heart-health profile.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a long-term health project in the United Kingdom. They examined information from 322,777 adults aged 39 to 74 who did not have diagnosed cardiovascular disease at the start of the study.

Chronotype Assessment and Heart Health Metrics

Participants identified their chronotype by answering whether they considered themselves morning or evening people. Around 67 percent described themselves as intermediate, nearly one-fourth as morning types, and only 8 percent as definite night owls. Researchers also assessed participants using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which measures cardiovascular risk through eight modifiable health factors.

After following participants for nearly 14 years, the researchers found that night owls showed a 79 percent higher likelihood of poor cardiovascular health compared to intermediate types. They also scored the worst in six of the eight Life’s Essential 8 risk factors, placing them at a notably higher overall risk.

The study concluded that unhealthy behaviors, rather than chronotype alone, drive the increased cardiovascular risk. Experts advise night owls to focus on basics such as consistent sleep schedules, regular physical activity, morning light exposure, and routine health checks. Quitting smoking, managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and maintaining a healthy diet can significantly improve long-term heart health.

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