New Study Finds Napping Often May Increase Risks Of Developing High Blood Pressure And Strokes

A new study found taking naps on a regular basis could be linked to high blood pressure and stroke.

The large study used data from 360,000 participants who were tracked from 2006 to 2019 and provided their napping habits to the U.K. Biobank. The research found that those who nap during the day were 12 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure over time. Additionally, they were found to be 24 percent more likely to have a stroke.

“The results demonstrate that napping increases the incidence of hypertension and stroke, after adjusting or considering many variables known to be associated with risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke,” said Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, CNN Health reports.

Clinical Psychologist Michael Grandner said some people are swapping in a full rest for naps which could be putting a damper on their health.

“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 Grandner, CNN reports.

Suppose you’re taking naps at an age younger than 60. In that case, napping often increases the risk of developing high blood pressure by 20 percent. The study also found that people who take naps regularly also tended to smoke cigarettes, drink often or struggle with snoring or insomnia, according to CNN.