By: Mary Villegas - @inquirerdotnet
Are you someone who loves taking afternoon naps? While daytime sleeping has benefits, a recent study shows that napping for more than 30 minutes could increase your chances of developing atrial fibrillation.
It is a heart condition that is associated with an irregular heartbeat. The researchers presented this study at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2023 conference at the European Society of Cardiology.
Previous research has suggested a connection between sleep patterns and the development of atrial fibrillation. But this study was the first to particularly examine the relationship between daytime sleeping and the risk of a heart condition.
The team used data from a group of Spanish university graduates. They have proven that the participants who went for daytime sleeping that lasted for over 30 minutes had higher risks of atrial fibrillation than those who napped for less than 30 minutes or didn’t nap at all.
Is daytime sleeping bad or good for your health?
While it can benefit some people, excessive napping or daytime sleeping can harm overall health. It could impose health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
The study author, Dr. Jesus Diaz-Gutierrez from the Juan Ramon Jimenez University Hospital in Spain, advised that people who have disrupted nighttime slumber should not rely on napping to cover the lack of sleep.
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Moreover, the study also found that napping for 15-30 minutes was an excellent duration for lessening the risk of atrial fibrillation. However, there should still be further studies to confirm these findings fully.
Since the study has proven its claims by presenting data from its participants, it’s safe to say that poor sleep habits contribute to developing heart disease.
To lower your risk of heart ailments, it is vital to adopt good sleeping habits. This way, you can establish a regular sleep routine to help you avoid daytime sleeping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises:
Sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends.
Earlier in the morning, get enough natural light to help balance your sleep-wake cycle.
Try to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise or any physical activity during the day but avoid staying active a few hours before bedtime.
In summary, the effect of daytime sleeping on your health depends on various individual factors. Occasional napping may be beneficial for some but not for everybody.
If you usually take daytime naps, try to limit them to less than 30 minutes. Doing so will help you lower the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
