Taking regular naps could raise stroke risk

regular naps could increase the risk of suffering a stroke, scientists claimed yesterday.

Their study found that middle-aged people who have short sleeps during the day are 12 per cent more likely to have high blood pressure than those who stay awake.

and they were 24 per cent more likely to have a stroke.

The findings were based on medical records and surveys of 350,000 Britons over the age of 40. Napping can be a sign that someone is not getting enough sleep at night – a problem that has been linked with high blood pressure.

The risks varied with age – the under-60s who regularly napped had a 20 per cent greater risk of high blood pressure. But this fell to 10 per cent for the over-60s.

Men, older people, and those with more health problems and a higher body mass index tended to nap more during the day.

Dr Michael grandner, a sleep expert from the university of arizona who was not involved in the study, said: ‘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.’

The study, from Xiangya Hospital Central South university in China, was published in the journal Hypertension.

Joanne Whitmore of the British Heart Foundation said: ‘These findings shouldn’t cause concern if you do nap during the day, but it’s good to understand why you need to. If it’s because you’re not getting enough sleep, or you suddenly feel very tired in the daytime, this may need investigating.

‘a good night’s sleep allows your body to rest, which relaxes your blood vessels, in turn reducing your blood pressure.’

Paul leeson, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Oxford university, said the link between napping and heart problems could be a coincidence and other health reasons might explain the need to sleep during the day.

‘Not getting enough sleep’