Exercising at the optimal time of day for your body may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, according to recent research. Scientists have investigated the role of the circadian rhythm and whether individuals are early risers or night owls. A study revealed that aligning exercise with your body’s natural clock can enhance various aspects of heart health, notably enhancing blood pressure and sleep quality.
The study, published in the journal Open Heart, suggests that the NHS could potentially conduct genetic tests on heart patients to determine whether morning or evening exercise is more beneficial. Dr. Rajiv Sankaranarayanan from the British Cardiovascular Society emphasized the relevance of these findings for preventive cardiology in the NHS, highlighting the importance of incorporating chronotype assessments into lifestyle recommendations, especially for patients with hypertension or cardiometabolic risks.
In a study involving 150 individuals aged 40 to 60 with at least one heart risk factor, such as high blood pressure or obesity, researchers from the UK and Pakistan analyzed participants’ chronotypes through detailed questionnaires and core body temperature measurements. Participants were divided into groups based on their chronotypes and assigned exercise sessions between 8am and 11am or 6pm to 9pm. Before and after the 12-week trial, various measures, including blood pressure and fasting glucose levels, were monitored.
While both groups showed improvements in heart risk factors, aerobic fitness, and sleep quality over the study period, participants who exercised at the optimal time for their chronotype experienced greater enhancements. For instance, individuals who preferred mornings saw more significant reductions in blood pressure and improvements in heart rate, aerobic capacity, and sleep quality.
The researchers noted that exercising in alignment with your body’s internal clock can enhance the effectiveness of muscle and fat tissue while reducing inflammation. Dr. Arsalan Tariq, the lead researcher from the University of Lahore in Pakistan, highlighted the potential benefits of “chrono-exercise” in promoting cardiovascular and metabolic health.
This study builds on previous research reported by the Mirror, demonstrating that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of mortality from various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. A review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that maintaining consistent physical activity throughout life could lead to a 30% to 40% lower risk of death from any cause. Additionally, individuals who transitioned from being inactive to active still had a 22% lower risk of mortality compared to those who remained sedentary.
