We all need a nap every once in a while—but the effects of frequent napping have remained controversial in the scientific community. Over the years, different studies have yielded different results, but a 2019 report published in the journal Heart aimed to end the controversy once and for all.
The study followed almost 3,500 people with no history of cardiovascular disease for over 5 years. Each participant reported their nap patterns over the course of a typical week. After the follow-up period, there were 155 fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events amongst the participants.
With this data in mind, the researchers concluded that those who napped 1-2 times a week were 48% less likely to have cardiovascular problems than those who did not nap at all. The duration of the nap did not seem to make a difference.
The results of this study confirm that, while there is still more to be studied regarding naps and long-term cardiovascular health, nap frequency should play an important role in future studies.
To read more about this study, please click here.
