A recent study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden suggests that people who tend to stay up late, known as “night owls,” may have a higher risk of suffering a heart attack due to increased artery calcification or atherosclerosis.
Artery calcification is a condition where fatty deposits accumulate inside the arteries, hindering the flow of blood and potentially leading to serious health issues like angina, blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
The research involved 771 participants between the ages of 50 and 64, and it was part of a larger study called the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study (SCAPIS). Researchers used computer tomography to examine the coronary arteries of the participants to measure artery calcification. Participants also self-reported their sleep habits or “chronotype,” ranging from extreme morning types to extreme evening types.
The study found that extreme morning types had the lowest incidence of pronounced artery calcification at 22.2%, while extreme evening types had the highest incidence at 40.6%.
The results suggest that those with an extreme evening chronotype may be at a greater risk of coronary artery calcification and related cardiovascular health issues.
The study considered various factors that can influence artery calcification risk, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, physical activity, stress, sleep quality, and smoking habits. The researchers also emphasized the significance of an individual’s circadian rhythm as a potential risk factor for artery calcification, especially in the early stages of the disease process.
However, it’s important to note that the study had certain limitations, such as relying on self-reported chronotypes and excluding individuals who had already experienced a heart attack. Despite these limitations, the research suggests that understanding one’s circadian rhythm and sleep habits may be relevant in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
This study is part of a broader project, SCAPIS, which focuses on cardiac, vascular, and pulmonary diseases and involves extensive health examinations of randomly selected Swedes between the ages of 50 and 64.
The research has been published in the journal Sleep Medicine.
