High blood pressure and stroke due to regular naps -

Is it bad to get some sleep during the day?

According to a recent study, when people take regular naps during the day, it's associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

A new study involving researchers from Central South University has examined the link between daytime naps and the incidence of essential hypertension and stroke. The results were published in the specialist journal "Hypertension".

UK Biobank data assessed

The researchers used data from the so-called UK Biobank. A Cox regression analysis was performed on a total of 358,451 participants without high blood pressure or stroke. Mendelian randomization was used to validate the results.

Participants were divided into different groups based on their self-reported napping frequency: never/very rarely, sometimes or regularly.

Differences with previous surveys

The current research is the first study in which an observational analysis of participants over a long period of time was performed with risk validation (Mendelian randomization), the team reports.

Experts wanted to know if frequent daytime naps were linked to high blood pressure and the development of ischemic stroke.

"The findings are particularly exciting because millions of people could benefit from regular or even daily naps," said study author Professor Dr. E. Wang of Central South University in a press release.

Napping linked to increased risk of high blood pressure

It found that participants who naped regularly had a 12% higher risk of developing high blood pressure and a 24% higher risk of having a stroke than people who said they never nap.

influence of age

If participants were younger than 60 and took regular naps, it was associated with a 20% higher risk of high blood pressure compared to people of the same age who never nap during the day.

For participants over 60, regular naps were only associated with a 10% higher risk of high blood pressure than people who didn't nap, the team found.

According to the researchers, when nap frequency increased by one category (from never to sometimes or sometimes to usual), the risk of high blood pressure increased by 40%.

Lack of sleep is bad for your health

According to study author Dr. Michael A. Grandner, while napping in itself isn't harmful, many people who nap do so because of lack of sleep at night.

"Poor sleep at night is associated with poorer health, and naps alone aren't enough to compensate for that," Dr. Grandpa points out. Overall, the study results are consistent with previous studies showing that more naps reflect an increased risk of heart health problems and other health problems.

Due to several limitations in the current study - for example, only the frequency of naps was recorded, but not the duration - the team now recommends further investigation into the links between sleep patterns, including naps. diurnal, and heart health. (as)

Author and source information

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This text corresponds to the specifications of the specialized medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been verified by health professionals.

Sources:

Min-jing Yang, Zhong Zhang, Yi-jing Wang, Jin-chen Li, Qu-lian Guo, et al. : Association of Napping Frequency with Hypertension or Ischemic Stroke Supported by Prospective Cohort Data and Mendelian Randomization in Predominantly Middle-Aged European Subjects; in: Hypertension (published 7/25/2022), HypertensionAmerican Heart Association: Study shows link between frequent naps and high blood pressure (published 7/25/2022), AHA

Important note:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot substitute a visit to the doctor.