Healthy living
Body matters
Siestas are good for the heart
Give in to that post-lunch urge to sleep and your heart will benefit, say scientists
Taking an afternoon snooze is good for the heart, according to a report published in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Researchers found that people who had an afternoon siesta of 30 minutes or more at least three times a week had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease.
The Greek study looked at more 23,000 men and women aged between 20 and 86 over a six-year period. At the onset of the study none of the volunteers showed any signs of heart disease.
The study took into account diet, physical activity and other factors that make death from coronary heart disease more likely.
Working men benefited the most from taking regular or occasional naps with a 64 percent reduction in death from heart disease. The study was unable to compare this with working women as there were only six heart related female deaths over the entire study period.
However napping is good news for all us as the research found those who took naps of any length reduced their risk of dying from heart disease by 34 percent.
Lead researcher Dr Dimitrios Trichopoulos, from the Harvard School of Public Health, said: "In countries where mortality from coronary diseases is low, siesta is quite prevalent."
The team speculate that taking a little shuteye during the day may help reduce stress which is often linked with increased heart disease. About 180,000 people in the UK are admitted to hospital each year as a result of suffering from a heart attack. Most occur in people over 50 and a heart attack becomes more likely with increasing age.
June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said: "Having a nap in the middle of the day may help people to unwind and relax - which is important for our overall health. However it is important to get a balance between rest and activity, as being regularly active can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."
Top tips for heart health
- Follow a healthy diet: avoid too much red meat and opt instead for fish, poultry and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Regular exercise.
- Maintain a healthy weight for your height.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- Don't smoke.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
