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Napping Habit and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: Does It Matter if It Is Sunday?
Cristina Kano Inazumi1, Carla Renata Silva Andrechuk1, Thaís Moreira São-João2
1School of Nursing, Universidade Estadual Campinas (Unicamp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Sleep Science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|September 18, 2025
Summary
Napping, especially intentional weekday naps, is linked to unhealthy lipid profiles and higher HbA1c. These findings highlight naps as potential indicators for cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Napping habits are increasingly recognized as a potential factor influencing health outcomes.
- Understanding the relationship between napping and CVD risk factors is crucial for preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between napping habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- To differentiate the impact of intentional versus unintentional napping on health markers.
- To explore napping patterns on weekdays versus weekends.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 563 participants was conducted.
- Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, health habits, clinical variables, and detailed napping patterns.
- Statistical analyses employed Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn's post-hoc tests, Chi-squared tests, and modified Poisson and linear regression models.
Main Results:
- Over half of participants (56.6%) reported napping, with distinct patterns for intentional vs. unintentional and weekday vs. weekend naps.
- Intentional weekday napping was associated with elevated serum lipid profiles.
- Unintentional napping (weekday or weekend) was linked to higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.
- Napping habits were identified as independent risk factors for increased HbA1c and adverse lipid profiles.
Conclusions:
- Napping habits, particularly intentional weekday naps, are associated with unfavorable changes in lipid profiles.
- Napping can serve as a significant indicator for healthcare professionals to monitor individuals for CVD risk.
- Further research and clinical attention to napping patterns are warranted for CVD prevention.
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