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Napping helps manage hypertension
NEW ORLEANS — Individuals with hypertension who napped during the day demonstrated reductions in BP, according to findings presented at American College of Cardiology Scientific Session.
On average, a midday nap was associated with a decrease of 5 mm Hg in BP, according to the researchers. The effect of napping was comparable to known BP-lowering interventions, such as salt and alcohol reduction, according to the researchers.
“These findings are important because a drop in blood pressure as small as 2 mm Hg can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack by up to 10%,” Manolis Kallistratos, MD, cardiologist at the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, said in a press release. “Based on our findings, if someone has the luxury to take a nap during the day, it may also have benefits for high BP. Napping can be easily adopted and typically doesn’t cost anything.”
For more information on Kallistratos’s study, please click here. – by Alaina Tedesco
Reference:
Poulimenos L, et al. Abstract 1332-439. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 16-18, 2019; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Kallistratos report no relevant financial disclosures.