Exercising at the optimal time of day tailored to your body’s natural rhythm may significantly lower the risk of heart attacks, according to recent research.
The study focused on the significance of the circadian rhythm and whether individuals are early risers or night owls. Findings from a trial revealed that aligning exercise with your body’s ideal time led to notable improvements in various heart health markers, particularly in enhancing blood pressure and sleep quality.
Published in the journal Open Heart, the study suggests that the NHS could potentially conduct genetic tests on heart patients to determine whether they should engage in physical activity in the morning or evening.
Dr. Rajiv Sankaranarayanan from the British Cardiovascular Society emphasized the relevance of the study’s results for preventive cardiology in the NHS. Incorporating a simple assessment of chronotype into lifestyle recommendations could improve adherence and outcomes, especially for patients with hypertension or cardiometabolic risks.
The research, conducted by teams in the UK and Pakistan, examined the chronotypes of 150 middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 60 with at least one heart risk factor. Participants completed detailed lifestyle surveys and underwent core body temperature testing over a 48-hour period.
Participants were randomly assigned to exercise groups aligned with their chronotype or not, with workout sessions scheduled between 8 am and 11 am or 6 pm and 9 pm. Measurements such as blood pressure and fasting glucose levels were taken before and after the 12-week trial. Both groups showed improvements in heart problem risk factors, aerobic fitness, and sleep quality.
However, the group that exercised at the time matching their chronotype, such as morning people working out before starting their day, experienced greater enhancements. This group exhibited more significant reductions in blood pressure and notable improvements in heart rate, aerobic capacity, and sleep quality.
Researchers pointed out that exercising at the optimal time for your body could enhance the effectiveness of muscle and fat tissue while reducing harmful inflammation. Lead researcher Dr. Arsalan Tariq from the University of Lahore in Pakistan highlighted the potential benefits of integrating “chrono-exercise” principles, which involve scheduling workouts based on an individual’s internal biological clock, to improve preventive cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes.
This study follows a previous report by the Mirror, which highlighted that physically active individuals have a lower likelihood of dying from various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. A review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrated that individuals consistently engaged in physical activity throughout their lives had a 30% to 40% reduced risk of mortality from any cause. Even individuals who transitioned from being inactive to active showed a 22% lower risk of death compared to those who remained inactive.
