Medically reviewed by
Dacelin St Martin, MD
Triple board-certified in Sleep Medicine,
Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics.
The Study | How Does Siesta Contribute to an Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk? | The Next Steps
Overview
It’s no news that sleep contributes significantly to physical and mental well-being. Several studies have shown that sleep duration and quality influence one’s risk of developing chronic medical conditions like hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.[2][3]
Even though it is generally accepted that shorter sleep length negatively affects one’s health, very few studies have delineated the effects of afternoon naps on one’s health.
New research shows that extended afternoon naps increase one’s risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular ailments.[1]
This article will explore this fantastic research and expatiate the link between afternoon naps, reduced sleep duration, and cardiovascular diseases.
The Study
An outstanding study by Chinese researchers shed light on the effects of having a regular siesta on physical health. Taking siestas is a common sleep practice in many cultures; in fact, 39.3 percent of Chinese adults between the ages of 15 and 69 take naps regularly, with the rate being highest among those aged 60 to 69, according to data from the Chinese CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).[1]
Using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the researchers evaluated 7,604 middle-aged and older adults who had sleep data but did not have hypertension or cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study.
The patients were followed for up to three years using questionnaires. The follow-up was terminated when an outcome event (hypertension or CVD) was observed.
After the follow-up period, 2,075 participants were diagnosed with hypertension, and 986 people were found to have other cardiovascular diseases.[1]
The study’s findings revealed that individuals who sleep less than 6 hours a day are more likely to develop cardiovascular troubles.
Also, the study’s result showed that people who sleep for more hours during the day than at night (afternoon nap to total sleep time ratio (siesta ratio) greater than 0.4) are more susceptible to hypertension and other heart troubles compared to individuals who sleep longer at night than day, and persons whose sleep duration is more than 8 hours.[1]
The study also assessed age and sex-related disparities in sleep duration and cardiovascular illness risk. It revealed that a siesta ratio of at least 0.4 was connected with a higher risk for hypertension in males aged 60 years and older; also, a total sleep duration of fewer than 6 hours correlated with a heightened risk for hypertension in individuals younger than 60 years old.
Similarly, in women 60 years and older, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease was associated with a sleep duration of fewer than 6 hours at night.
On the other hand, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease was associated with a siesta duration of fewer than 30 minutes and a sleep duration of fewer than 6 hours at night in women younger than 60.[1]
How Does Siesta Contribute to an Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk?
Typically, taking frequent and lengthy afternoon naps reduces one’s desire to sleep at night and, consequentially, sleep duration and total sleep length.
According to Ling Lin the study’s leading author, “Siestas that are too long can shorten the amount of time people spend sleeping at night, which can affect the total amount of time people spend sleeping.”
“The results from our study suggest that the proportion of total sleep time devoted to siestas may be associated with a raised risk of hypertension or cardiovascular disease,” said Lin.
Furthermore, the researchers explained that a lengthier nap during the day causes a rise in evening cortisol levels, disrupting one’s circadian rhythm and increasing blood pressure levels.[1]
Several other studies corroborate the findings of this study. One such is research by leading experts in pulmonary medicine from the University of Missouri, Columbia.[4]
In their research, the experts remarked that though brief afternoon naps may improve alertness and effectiveness at work, lengthy and frequent siestas may be linked to health troubles, especially among older people.[4]
Furthermore, another study by Chinese researchers that investigated the connection between getting enough nightly sleep and the Chinese tradition of taking a nap in the afternoon indicates that extended afternoon naps alongside a shortened sleep duration contribute significantly to mortality risk in seniors.[5]
The Next Steps
Concerning the following steps, Lin and her colleagues remarked that the data from their study might provide a reference for afternoon napping and total sleep length in persons aged 45 years and older.
Additionally, they advocate that sufficient sleep at night, as opposed to prolonged midday napping, should be adopted by individuals, especially the elderly, to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular troubles.
References:
- Lin, L., Huang, J., Liu, Z., Chen, P., & Huang, C. (2022). Associations of siesta and total sleep duration with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Clinical Cardiology. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.23954
- Tobaldini, E., Costantino, G., Solbiati, M., Cogliati, C., Kara, T., Nobili, L., & Montano, N. (2017). Sleep, sleep deprivation, autonomic nervous system, and cardiovascular diseases. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 74, 321–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.004
- Lusardi, P., Zoppi, A., Preti, P., Pesce, R. M., Piazza, E., & Fogari, R. (1999). Effects of insufficient sleep on blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a 24-h study. American Journal of Hypertension, 12(1 Pt 1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0895-7061(98)00200-3
- Dhand, R., & Sohal, H. (2006). Good sleep, bad sleep! The role of daytime naps in healthy adults. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 12(6), 379–382. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mcp.0000245703.92311.d0
- Lan, T.-Y., Lan, T.-H., Wen, C.-P., Lin, Y.-H., & Chuang, Y.-L. (2007). Nighttime sleep, Chinese afternoon nap, and mortality in the elderly. Sleep, 30(9), 1105–1110. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/30.9.1105
- Lan, T.-Y., Lan, T.-H., Wen, C.-P., Lin, Y.-H., & Chuang, Y.-L. (2007). Nighttime sleep, Chinese afternoon nap, and mortality in the elderly. Sleep, 30(9), 1105–1110. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/30.9.1105
