Investigators reported that people who frequently naps may have an increased risk of high blood pressure and ischemic stroke by 12% compared to people who do not nap. For some, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a nap.
Compared with people who said they never napped, those who usually napped had a 12% higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure and a 24% higher chance of experiencing a stroke. Most people stayed in the same napping category throughout the study.
July 25, 2022 -- People who nap frequently have a 12% higher chance of having high blood pressure and a 24% higher chance of having a stroke than people who never or rarely nap, according to a study published in Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association.
Numerous studies have shown both sleep deprivation and sleeping and napping for a long time (more than nine hours sleeping and 90 minutes midday napping) can raise your risk for stroke and other health problems.
Both groups answered questions about their sleep quality and behavior, and the two groups were compared. Results showed people who slept less than five hours a night on average were three times more likely to have a stroke than those who got seven hours of sleep — the recommended minimum for adults.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and is the main cause for increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes.
The major risk factors for stroke include: High blood pressure. Diabetes. Heart and blood vessel diseases: Conditions that can cause blood clots or other blockages include coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, and carotid artery disease.
With this treatment, your likelihood of recovery is greatly increased and your quality of life much improved. The problem is that about 25% of strokes occur during sleep.
While it may be tempting to go to sleep in hopes of feeling better, this only delays necessary treatment. Instead, call 911 immediately. Don't take or give medication, food, or drinks. Taking certain medication, such as aspirin, can make a stroke worse.
A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.
Some experts say the power nap should be even shorter — 20 minutes max. But all agree it shouldn't exceed 30 minutes. That's because the body enters a deep sleep around that time, and waking up from a deep sleep can lead to grogginess, according to the Sleep Foundation.
Don't nap after 3 p.m. Naps later in the day may mess with your ability to fall asleep at night. Nap in a sleep-friendly environment. Choose a cool, quiet, comfortable place. Remove any bright lights, if possible.
It has been reported that a short nap can reduce stress and blood pressure, with the greatest decline of blood pressure being associated with vasodilation of more than 9% that occurs between the start of resting and actually falling asleep (onset of stage 1 sleep).
We know that poor sleep is often associated with increased napping. So, the study really shows that taking more naps reflects an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in subjects who likely have additional risk factors.”
Naps are not inherently bad for you, but they can be a sign that you're not sleeping well or enough at night. If you are napping frequently, can't stay awake, or don't get quality sleep at night, talk to your provider. You could have an underlying sleep disorder or health condition.
DALLAS, JULY 25, 2022 — Napping on a regular basis is associated with higher risks for high blood pressure and stroke, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
Time of Day
Both STEMI and stroke are most likely to occur in the early hours of the morning—specifically around 6:30am.
The chronobiological pattern of ischemic stroke onset, with higher frequency in the first morning hours, is likely to be associated with circadian fluctuations in blood pressure, heart rate, hemostatic processes, and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation episodes.
What causes wake-up stroke? Dr Bellolio explained that wake up strokes were influenced by circadian or night time changes in blood clotting, hormone levels and neurological function and like cardiac events, strokes were more common in the morning.
“But anyone, even people who are relatively young and healthy, could potentially have a stroke.” While you can't do much about risk factors related to your age, gender or family history, there are four important things you can do to lower your risk of stroke — and improve your overall health: Stop smoking.
Stress can cause the heart to work harder, increase blood pressure, and increase sugar and fat levels in the blood. These things, in turn, can increase the risk of clots forming and travelling to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.
Foods high in potassium, such as sweet and white potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, prunes, melon and soybeans, can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure — the leading risk factor of stroke. Magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach, are also linked to a lower risk of stroke.