Afternoon naps are good for the heart
Wanting an afternoon nap doesn’t mean you’re lazy, now that it’s backed by research. Taking something as little as an afternoon nap can reduce blood pressure levels, studies say.
Dr Manolis Kallistratos, a cardiologist at Asklepieion Voula General Hospital in Athens, led the study.
The study gathered 200 men and 186 women, average age 61.4 years with arterial hypertension. The following measurements were performed in all patients: midday sleep time (in minutes), office BP, 24 hour ambulatory BP, pulse wave velocity, lifestyle habits, body mass index (BMI) and a complete echocardiographic evaluation including left atrial size. BP measurements were reported as diastolic and systolic BP.
Researchers found that people who took afternoon naps had 5% lower average 24 hour ambulatory systolic BP (6 mmHg) compared to non-nappers. Their average systolic BP readings were also 4% lower when they were awake (5 mmHg) and 6% lower while they slept at night (7 mmHg) compared to non-nappers.
Dr Kallistratos said: “Although the mean BP decrease seems low, it has to be mentioned that reductions as small as 2 mmHg in systolic blood pressure can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by up to 10%.
Category: Featured Videos, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
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