A new study suggests that being a “night owl” may be tough on your heart health, especially if you have to wake up early.
Researchers found that people who prefer staying up late had a 16 percent higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke compared to average sleepers.
The main culprit appears to be a mismatch between a person’s internal body clock and the typical 9-to-5 daily schedule.
Researchers note that this timing conflict makes it harder for night owls to follow heart-healthy behaviors.
The study showed that night owls were more likely to have poor diets, get insufficient sleep, and smoke.
Experts explain that forcing yourself awake when your body wants to sleep causes “social jet lag,” which can disrupt your heart rate and blood pressure.
To lower the risk, doctors recommend sticking to a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even if you can’t get a full seven hours of sleep.