Naps and cardiovascular disease risk in different age and sex groups: evidence from a large community cohort

Study objectives: This study examined the relationship between naps and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events or death in different age and sex groups.

Methods: A total of 3,069 participants stratified by age (< 65, 65-74, and ≥ 75 years old) and sex, underwent Cox regression analysis to assess nap's impact on CVD risk. Restricted cubic spline plots were used for dose-response relationships.

Results: Significant age-stratified interactions were found when exploring the associations between nap frequency or duration and CVD events (P_interaction = .001, .036, respectively). Individuals younger than 65 years with higher nap frequency or longer nap duration had a significantly increased risk of CVD events (P < .001, P = .001, respectively). The age group of 65-74 years showed significant associations between CVD events and nap frequency or nap duration (P = .017, .016, respectively), together with nap duration and CVD deaths (P = .008). In the subgroup of females aged 65-74, significant associations were found between nap frequency or duration and CVD events (P = .006, .002, respectively). Nap frequency or duration was also significantly associated with CVD deaths (P = .005, .010 respectively).

Conclusions: This study underscores a noteworthy correlation between a higher frequency or longer duration of daytime nap and an increased susceptibility to CVD among individuals aged 65-74 years, particularly in females. However, further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Clinical trial registration: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Sleep Heart Health Study; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00005275; Identifier: NCT00005275.

Citation: Chen C, Guo Q, Cheng Y, Lan Y, Cheng D, Huang J. Naps and cardiovascular disease risk in different age and sex groups: evidence from a large community cohort. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(8):1339-1348.