Napping Helps The Heart

Researchers reporting in the February 12, 2007 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine analyzed data from 23,681 participants of the Greek EPIC Study (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Cohort):

Siesta in Healthy Adults and Coronary Mortality in the General Population

... and found that:

"Siesta [midday napping] in apparently healthy individuals is inversely associated with coronary mortality, and the association was particularly evident among working men."

This finding was independent of other lifestyle factors that contribute to heart health, including education, diet, exercise, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and smoking.

No matter how often or how long the nappers napped, they experienced benefit. Although those who made it part of their routine benefited more.

Data reported about napping placed a participant in one of two groups:

• Occasional Napper (less than 3 times/week, or less than 30 minutes)
  
• Systematic Napper (at least 3 times/week, and at least 30 minutes)

When data for men and women were combined:

• Those who occasionally napped had a 12% lower rate of coronary death.
  
• Those who systematically napped had a 37% lower rate of coronary death.

However, when data for men were analyzed separately:

• Those who occasionally napped had a 42% lower rate of coronary death.
  
• Those who systematically napped had a 50% lower rate of coronary death.

And when data for men who were still working (not retired) were analyzed separately:

• Those who occasionally napped had a 64% lower rate of coronary death.
  
• Those who systematically napped had a 64% lower rate of coronary death.

For working men, just some quick shut-eye on the weekends offered benefit similar to regular napping.
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