A Daytime Nap Lowers Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Napping can be healthy, but not too many, and not too long

NAPPING: These Japanese businessmen are napping after the noontime meal, which helps enhance brain function, energy, mood, and productivity. Napping also helps regulate the sleep-wake cycles. Oshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

Those who like to take a nap may have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. The impact of napping on heart health has long been contested, but according to a new study, a daytime nap taken once or twice a week may lower the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The research published online in the journal Heart looked at the association between napping frequency, average nap duration, and the risk of cardiovascular disease. This included both fatal and nonfatal events such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. The study included 3,462 randomly selected residents of Lausanne, Switzerland.