2007-09-07 05:23:39
Thu Sep 6, 8:01 AM ET
Generations have praised the wisdom of getting up early in the morning, but a
Japanese study says early-risers are actually at a higher risk of developing
heart problems.
The study, conducted by researchers from several universities and hospitals in
the western Japanese city of Kyoto, revealed a link between wake-up times and a
person's cardiovascular condition.
"Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but
rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study.
The study, covering 3,017 healthy adults aged between 23 through 90, found that
early risers had a greater risk of heart conditions including hypertension and
of having strokes.
However, the study also noted that early risers were usually older.
The study is being presented this week at the World Congress of the World
Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies, being held in
Cairns, Australia.
A separate study released in June by researchers at the University of
Pennsylvania found that chronic sleep deprivation adds stress to the heart,
putting a person at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.