Napping Associated Decreased Risk of Cardiovascular Events

The majority of studies that have investigated the link between napping and cardiovascular disease did not take into consideration napping frequency. A new study assessed the association between napping frequency and cardiovascular events and found that napping once or twice per week may be associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events.

The study had 3,462 participants between the ages of 35 and 75. The participants reported their nap frequency and daily nap duration over the course of one week. They were followed for an average of 5 years, and all non-fatal and fatal cardiovascular events were recorded.

The researchers found that participants who reported taking a nap 1 to 2 times per week had a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular events. The nap durations ranged from five minutes to one hour. They were 48% less likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure compared to those who did not nap at all. No association was found between more frequent napping (6-7 times per week) and the risk of cardiovascular events.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University Hospital of Lausanne. It was published online ahead of print on September 9, 2019, in the journal Heart.