Daytime napping is common all over the world and is generally considered a healthy habit. It improves performance and counteracts the negative consequences of ‘sleep debt.’ But, a new study contradicts this opinion- suggesting that long naps could be risky.
According to a new study, drifting off for more than one hour could be risky.
Past study on the link between daytime naps and death or cardiovascular disease has produced conflicting results. Also, it did not consider the duration of night-time sleep.
This examination summed up the accessible proof to survey the connection between napping and the dangers of all-cause death and cardiovascular malady.
A total of 313,651 participants from more than 20 studies were included in the analysis. Some 39% of participants took naps.
The analysis found that long naps (more than 60 mins) were associated with a 30% greater risk of all-cause death and 34% higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease than no napping.Â
When night-time sleep was considered, long naps were linked with an elevated risk of death only in those who slept more than six hours per night.
Overall, naps of any length were linked with a 19% elevated risk of death. The connection was more pronounced in women, who had a 22% greater likelihood of death with napping than no napping, and older participants, whose risk rose by 17% with naps.
Dr. Zhe Pan of Guangzhou Medical University, China, said, “Short naps (less than 60 minutes) were not risky for developing cardiovascular disease. The results suggest that shorter naps (especially those less than 30 to 45 minutes) might improve heart health in people who sleep insufficiently at night.”
“The reasons why napping affects the body are still uncertain, but some studies have suggested that long snoozes are linked with higher levels of inflammation, which is risky for heart health and longevity. Other research has connected napping with high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor overall physical health.”
“If you want to take a siesta, our study indicates it’s safest to keep it under an hour. There is no convincing evidence to start for those of us, not in the habit of a daytime slumber.”