If you often take a nap during the day, you may be at an increased risk for high blood pressure and stroke. A recent study found that adults who napped frequently were more likely to have hypertension than those who didn’t nap. So, if you’re looking to keep your blood pressure under control, it’s best to avoid taking too many daytime snoozes.
The study published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal, used information from the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database and research resource. Approximately 500,000 participants between the ages of 40 and 69 who lived in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010 were included in the database. All participants were required to routinely provide blood, urine and saliva samples along with lifestyle information. They also provided information about daytime napping.
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From this large resource, study researchers excluded the records of people who had already had a stroke or high blood pressure before the start of the study. The association between napping and first-time reports of stroke or high blood pressure was then analyzed in approximately 360,000. All participants were divided into groups based on napping frequency of “never/rarely,” “sometimes,” or “usually.”
This is the first study of its kind to use both observational analyses of participants over a long period of time and Mendelian randomization. This genetic risk validation was used to determine whether frequent napping was associated with high blood pressure and ischemic stroke.
It was found that the percentage of usual-nappers were men, had lower income levels, lower education, were daily drinkers, smokers, had insomnia, snoring, and were evening people, compared to never- or sometimes-nappers.
Compared to people who never took a nap, those who reported taking regular naps had a 12% higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure and a 24% higher likelihood of having a stroke.
Age also seemed to play a role in the risk of high blood pressure and stroke in those who regularly napped. Participants younger than age 60 who usually napped had a 20% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to people the same age who never napped. After age 60, usual napping was associated with only a 10% higher risk.
“This may be because, although taking a nap itself is not harmful, many people who take naps may do so because of poor sleep at night. Poor sleep at night is associated with poorer health, and naps are not enough to make up for that,” said Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., MTR, a sleep expert from the American Heart Association. “This study echoes other findings that generally show that taking more naps seems to reflect increased risk for problems with heart health and other issues.”
Getting a Restful Night’s Sleep
While more research is needed to examine further the associations between a healthy sleep pattern and heart health, this study suggests that getting a restful night’s sleep is essential for heart health.
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Sleep Sure Plus is an excellent way to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock).
Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better sleep quality.
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for blood pressure, but it is only one part of a healthy lifestyle for blood pressure. For those who are looking for an additional way to keep blood pressure levels in check, Healthy Blood Pressure Support can help provide comprehensive support for healthy blood pressure and overall health. Clinical studies have shown its unique combination of ingredients to help increase nitric oxide levels, reduce inflammation, and promote cardiovascular health.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
