That welcome siesta may be a silent killer, claims Chinese research

TAKING naps of longer than one hour can cause heart disease – and may even trigger an early death, research has suggested.

The study found that long naps in the afternoon are associated with a 30 per cent greater risk of dying young, and a 34 per cent higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease compared to not napping at all.

The findings by Chinese scientists, due to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress, suggest that drifting off for more than 60 minutes could be risky. Study author Dr Zhe Pan, of Guangzhou Medical University, said: “Daytime napping is common all over the world and is generally considered a healthy habit.

“A common view is that napping improves performance and counteracts the negative consequences of ‘sleep debt’. Our study challenges these widely held opinions.”

The reasons why napping affects the body are still uncertain, said Dr Pan, adding: “If you want to take a siesta, our study indicates it’s safest to keep it under an hour. And for those of us not in the habit of a daytime slumber, there is no convincing evidence to start.”

The Chinese team summarised available evidence to assess the relationship between napping and the risks of contracting cardiovascular disease.

Around 313,000 participants from more than 20 studies were included in the analysis, which found that long naps – classified as more than an hour in duration – were associated with a 30 per cent greater risk of any cause of death and 34 per cent higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease compared to not napping. Overall, naps of any length were linked with a 19 per cent elevated risk of death.