According to a Spanish study, taking too long a nap during the day (more than 30 minutes) increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (heart rhythm disorder).
As soon as you can, do you like to take a 30-minute nap? Perhaps you will have to review your way of proceeding… According to a Spanish study, resting for more than half an hour during the day would double the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
A nap of more than half an hour would double the risk of developing atrial fibrillation
Atrial (or atrial) fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to race and beat irregularly. Its appearance is favored by aging and the presence of a cardiac pathology (hypertension, heart valve disease, etc.), obesity, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, notes Amelie.
The Spanish researchers discussed this study at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. The scientists recruited 20,000 graduates from Spanish universities for this survey and made 3 different groups: the candidates who did not take a nap; those who take a nap of less than 30 minutes per day and finally those who take a nap of 30 minutes or more per day.
Applicants not taking daytime naps had no increased risk of atrial fibrillation
While this study lasted 14 years, 131 candidates developed atrial fibrillation during follow-up. For the researchers, the analysis of the study is clear: the risk of atrial fibrillation was almost twice as high in participants taking long naps compared to those taking shorter naps, as for subjects not taking a nap in day, they had no increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
The results suggest that the optimal nap length is 15 to 30 minutes.
Lead author of the study and cardiologist, specialist Jesus Diaz-Gutierrez concludes: “The results suggest that the optimal duration of the nap is 15 to 30 minutes. Larger studies are needed to determine whether a short nap is better than no nap. People with disturbed nighttime sleep should avoid relying on naps to make up for lack of sleep“, warned the researcher.