Late Nights and Heart Health: What You Need to Know

Recent findings suggest that people who stay up late may be putting their heart health at risk.

Study Details

• Participants: Over 320,000 adults in the UK
• Categories: Morning people, night owls, and in-between
• Measurement: Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, including diet, exercise, sleep, and other health factors

Key Findings

• Heart Health Scores:
• Night owls had worse scores than the middle group.
• Night owls were nearly 80% more likely to have poor heart health compared to the middle group.
• Morning people had slightly better scores than the middle group.

• Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke:
• Night owls had a 16% higher risk.
• Major contributing factors:
• Smoking (34% of increased risk)
• Lack of sleep
• High blood sugar

• Poor diet

• Gender Differences:
• Women were 96% more likely to have poor heart health scores compared to men (67%).

Lifestyle Impact

The study suggests that the problem isn't just about staying up late but the lifestyle choices that come with it.

Recommendations

• Quit smoking.
• Go to bed at the same time every day.
• Take short walks.
• Cut back on salt.