Study Finds Night Owls Face Higher Heart Disease Risks

Researchers say night owls struggle to maintain heart-healthy behaviors due to misalignment with typical daily schedules.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:31am

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A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School has found that people who are more active late at night, when most others are winding down or asleep, have poorer overall heart health compared to the general population. The researchers say the challenge is the mismatch between a night owl's internal clock and typical daily schedules, which makes it harder for them to follow heart-healthy behaviors.

Why it matters

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, so understanding risk factors and ways to improve heart health is crucial. This study highlights how an individual's natural sleep-wake cycle can impact their cardiovascular wellbeing, providing insights that could help night owls take proactive steps to mitigate their higher risk.

The details

The study, led by research fellow Sina Kianersi, found that night owls struggle to maintain the American Heart Association's eight key factors for better heart health, which include physical activity, avoiding tobacco, getting enough sleep, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight. Kianersi, who describes himself as 'sort of a night owl,' says the mismatch between a night owl's internal clock and typical daily schedules is the main challenge.

  • The study was published on February 3, 2026.

The players

Sina Kianersi

A research fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School who led the study on night owls and heart health.

American Heart Association

The leading organization focused on heart health in the United States, which has identified eight key factors for better cardiovascular wellbeing.

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What they’re saying

“It is not like, that, night owls are doomed. The challenge is the mismatch between your internal clock and typical daily schedules' that makes it harder to follow heart-healthy behaviors.”

— Sina Kianersi, Research Fellow (The Columbian)

What’s next

Researchers say the findings highlight the need for more personalized approaches to promoting heart health, including strategies to help night owls better align their sleep-wake cycles with typical daily routines.

The takeaway

This study underscores how an individual's natural sleep patterns can impact their cardiovascular wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of finding ways for night owls to more easily incorporate heart-healthy behaviors into their lifestyles.