India, March 21 -- People who regularly exercised early in the morning were significantly less likely to have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared with people who exercised later in the day, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

The research is based on health records and Fitbit-derived heart rate data from over 14,000 people. Although it is unclear whether the relationship between exercise timing and cardiometabolic health is causal or mediated by other factors, researchers said the findings could inform approaches for counseling patients on physical activity based on a more granular look at exercise behaviors than has...