Personal Injury Law

Excessive Cat Naps Linked to Stroke

By Jane Akre

Taking a cat nap or "power nap" as type A personalities like to call it, may seem like a good idea.

But a new study says that in older Americans, a cat nap may signal an increased risk of stroke.

At the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, researchers began collecting data on dozing in 2004. People were asked how often they doze during TV watching, after lunch, sitting in general or in traffic while driving.

In a two year follow-up, researchers found that among moderate dozers the risk of heart attack was 1.6 percent higher and 2.6 percent higher for the significant dozers. Among those in the "significant dozing" group was a 4.5 percent higher risk.  Race didn't matter and neither did gender.

In the past sleep apnea has been a predictor for stroke. It is recommended that people have a professional evaluation of sleep quality as there may be something disturbing a good night's rest.

Meanwhile, not be confused, the Archives of Internal Medicine published a study in 2007 showed those who took an occasional afternoon nap had 12 percent lower coronary mortality.

There may be a difference in a nap versus dozing which is involuntary and can happen at inappropriate times.  #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on February 22, 2008 (boomark / email).