New European research has some good news for those who like a midday snooze, finding that a nap may help to lower blood pressure. Carried out by researchers at the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, the new study looked at 212 participants with an average age of 62 and an average blood pressure of 129.9 mm Hg. The researchers assessed and recorded blood pressure for 24 hours consecutively, as well as midday sleep time, lifestyle habits such as alcohol, coffee and salt consumption, and physical activity levels, and pulse wave velocity, which is a measure of stiffness in the arteries.
They also asked the participants to complete an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and function. The findings, due to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session , showed that overall, taking a daytime nap was associated…
