Extended afternoon naps are associated with hypertension in women but not in men

The impact of afternoon napping duration on the risk of hypertension has not been well established, particularly with regards to sex and age differences.

To examine the association between afternoon napping duration and hypertension stratified by sex and age among Chinese adults over 45 years of age.

The 2011-2012 survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was used, including 7,980 participants. We conducted logistic regression models in the overall sample, and then stratified by sex and age groups.

Middle-aged and older women who napped over 90 min were 39% and 54% more likely to have hypertension, respectively; however, the associations were not significant in middle-aged and older men.

Extended afternoon napping (≥90 min) was associated with hypertension in both the middle-aged women and older women but not in men. Future studies are needed to further examine the association and possible mechanisms.