Regular daytime napping could indicate health issues in older adults.

Excessive Daytime Napping Linked to Higher Mortality Risk in Older Adults

A recent study conducted by researchers from Army General Brigham suggests a troubling link between excessive daytime napping and an increased risk of death among older adults. It appears that between 20% and 60% of older individuals regularly take naps.

While occasional napping can be quite refreshing, frequent or longer naps might signal more serious health issues in this demographic. For those curious, the study tracked 1,338 older adults over nearly two decades, utilizing wrist-worn devices to monitor their napping patterns and subsequent all-cause mortality rates.

According to findings shared in a Mass Brigham press release, longer and more frequent naps—especially those taken in the morning—are correlated with a heightened risk of mortality. Specifically, morning naps can increase risk by around 30%, with every additional hour of napping raising the risk by approximately 13%. The data also suggests that each extra nap adds about 7% to the risk factor.

Lead author Chen-Lu Gao, Ph.D., from the Department of Anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Brigham, commented on the findings in a press release, stating, “Excessive napping in later life is linked with increased neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and morbidity. However, many studies rely on self-reported data, missing aspects like nap duration and frequency.”

Gao also emphasized that this research may be pioneering in showing how objectively measured napping can relate to mortality, indicating the potential clinical benefits of monitoring napping habits for early indications of health decline.

However, it’s crucial to note that the study has its limitations. The observational design means it could only demonstrate a correlation rather than a causal link between napping and mortality. Various health conditions were not accounted for, and the sleep tracker measured movement rather than actual sleep, so periods of rest might sometimes be misclassified.

Additionally, the participants were predominantly older white adults from the Midwest, which raises questions about the applicability of these findings to broader populations.

Gao reiterated the nuances: “It’s important to understand that this is correlation, not causation. Excessive napping may indicate the presence of chronic illness, sleeping disorders, or issues with circadian rhythms.”