A Midday Nap May Support Healthier Blood Pressure

Taking a midday nap may do more than help you feel refreshed. Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress found that people being treated for high blood pressure who took a nap during the day tended to have lower blood pressure than those who did not nap.

The study followed 386 adults with hypertension, with an average age of about 61. Many participants also had other cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, smoking, and excess weight. Even with those risk factors, participants who napped at midday showed better blood-pressure readings than non-nappers.

Researchers found that midday sleep was associated with lower systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood-pressure reading. Participants who napped also tended to use fewer blood-pressure medications. Dr. Manolis Kallistratos, the study’s lead author, noted that even modest reductions in systolic blood pressure can matter because small improvements may help reduce cardiovascular risk over time.

The findings do not mean that napping should replace prescribed medication, exercise, nutrition, or other physician-recommended steps for managing hypertension. The study was observational, so it shows an association rather than proving that naps directly caused the improvement. Still, the results suggest that a short period of rest during the day may be one simple lifestyle habit worth considering as part of an overall heart-health routine.

For full-time workers, caregivers, and others with busy daytime schedules, a 60-minute nap may not be realistic. But even a brief lunchtime rest may offer a practical way to recharge. For people managing high blood pressure, the best approach is to talk with a healthcare provider before making major changes to daily routines, sleep habits, or medication use.

Source:

Kallistratos M, Poulimenos L, Karamanou A, et al. Association of mid-day naps occurrence and duration with blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients. A prospective observational study. Journal of Hypertension, June: doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000468209.39013.ca.