A recent study highlights that individuals who identify as night owls may face greater risks to their cardiovascular health and are more susceptible to severe health issues compared to those who are early risers.

Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study indicates that adults in middle age and beyond who are more active during evening and nighttime hours exhibit poorer cardiovascular health than those who prefer mornings or fall in between.

Analyzing a group of more than 320,000 adults aged 39 to 74, the research found that night owls had a 79% higher likelihood of poor cardiovascular health and a 16% increased risk of heart attack or stroke over the next 14 years.

Researchers evaluated several health metrics for each participant, including diet, body weight, smoking habits, physical activity levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol, among other factors, to determine their health scores.

To ease concerns, the study authors noted that these heightened health risks can be partly attributed to changeable behaviors, such as smoking and sleep patterns.

“Evening types aren’t inherently less healthy, but they face challenges that make it particularly important for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Kristen Knutson, a volunteer chair with the AHA, said in a press release.

Other studies indicate that nocturnal individuals are also more likely to become depressed, die early, develop dementia, diabetes, and schizophrenia.

A majority of the studies are keen to note that the health risks are also linked to late-night recreational activities, including smoking and frequent alcohol consumption — a small silver lining for graveyard shift workers who often burn the midnight oil.

One surprising upside, however, is that night owls perform better on cognitive tests than early risers.

Experts recommend going to bed before 1 a.m. to avoid deteriorating their mental and behavioral health.