Napping can be a revitalizing experience, but adding too much time to boost energy at midday might sometimes do more harm than good. A group of researchers from Guangzhou Medical University stated that naps lasting longer than an hour can increase the risk of heart disease.
Study author Dr. Zhi Pan said, "The habit of napping during the day is common around the world and is generally considered a healthy practice. The prevailing opinion is that napping improves performance and counters the negative effects of insufficient nighttime sleep, but our study challenges these widely held views." Dr. Zhi also informed the European Society of Cardiology that napping for over an hour can pose a threat to heart health and can lead to premature death from other causes. The study found that choosing the right amount of sleep can be beneficial for a healthy nap, and overindulgence in anything can be harmful to the body, even rest.
Too much sleep is not good: The researchers analyzed data from a total of 313,651 participants from more than 20 previous studies, finding that less than four in ten people, or 39%, nap regularly compared to those who do not. The results revealed that participants who napped regularly for over an hour had a 30% higher risk of death from all causes and a 34% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Unlike previous studies, the researchers accounted for each person's nighttime sleep duration. Taking nighttime sleep duration into consideration, the study's authors found a link between longer nap durations and increased death risk. Those who slept more than six hours at night, regardless of nap length, were 19% more likely to face death compared to others.
Additionally, women and older participants in the study exhibited a higher risk associated with afternoon napping. Women who nap for any time have a 22% increased risk of death, while older participants have a 17% higher risk compared to those who do not nap.
How can napping stimulate our health? While the risk of death appears to rise with longer naps, the study authors concluded that short naps could help improve and enhance health, particularly for those who do not get enough nighttime sleep. Dr. Zhi Pan stated, "The results indicate that taking a short nap of less than 30 to 45 minutes may improve heart health in individuals who do not get enough sleep at night. Therefore, if you wish to nap, our study suggests it is safer to keep it under an hour. For those who do not have a habit of napping during the day, there is no compelling evidence to encourage them to take naps."
It is noteworthy that the researchers did not identify the exact underlying cause of the harmful effects of napping on heart health in this study. They mentioned that some other studies suggest that longer naps may be associated with higher levels of inflammation, which in turn affects heart health. There have also been links established by other studies indicating an association between napping and poor physical health, diabetes, and hypertension.
