Latest news with #ChenluGao
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Afternoon napping could have surprising impact on longevity, study suggests
A new study linking daytime napping to increased mortality rates in older adults may have some rethinking that midday snooze. The study, presented last month at SLEEP 2025, the 39th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Seattle, Washington, found that frequent, longer and irregular daytime naps — especially in the early afternoon — were linked to a higher risk of death over an eight-year period. "Our study fills a gap in knowledge," lead author Chenlu Gao, a postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Fox News Digital. Study Reveals Exercising Every Day May Not Be Necessary: 'Better Than None' The research shows "not just whether someone naps, but how long, how variable, and when they nap during the day may be meaningful indicators of future health risk," he said. The study included 86,565 participants averaging 63 years of age — all of whom worked regular daytime schedules — who were monitored by actigraphy, which detects movement during sleep but not brain activity. Read On The Fox News App Scientists defined daytime napping as sleeping between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. After the initial study, researchers kept tabs on the participants for eight years and discovered that 5,189 (6.0%) of them died during that time period. Most Americans Hit The Snooze Button Every Morning — Here's Why It Could Be Bad For Your Health The research showed that taking longer naps — and napping between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. or between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — was associated with a higher mortality rate. Results were adjusted for other potential factors influencing mortality, like demographics, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption and nighttime sleep duration, the researchers stated. "Naps are not necessarily problematic unless they are used to compensate for chronically poor sleep at night," Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York, told Fox News Digital. "Getting seven to nine hours of good quality sleep is required to maintain health and reduce the risk of developing dangerous medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes," added Rohrscheib, who was not involved in the study. The study did not establish proof that naps directly affect the risk of death. "These are associations," Gao told Fox News Digital. "We cannot conclude from this study whether napping causes poor health." Most Sleep-deprived Cities In Us Revealed In Report: Where Does Yours Rank? In another potential limitation, because the study relied on detecting movement but not brain activity, "quiet wakefulness" may have been misclassified as sleep. Additionally, defining daytime napping as sleep between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. could have mistakenly included participants' actual sleep, affecting the accuracy of what would count as a nap, the researchers stated. Excessive napping could also be a marker of other health issues, such as chronic disease, systemic inflammation, or disruptions to circadian rhythms, which may themselves increase mortality risk. "Someone who requires daily naps to get through the day is likely not getting sufficient sleep during the night, or has an underlying health condition that causes daytime sleepiness," Rohrscheib noted. Gao added, "We need more research to understand the causal relationships before we can conclude that a certain type of napping pattern would benefit health." "However, we suggest that monitoring napping patterns might help us identify health conditions early, so that we can implement interventions accordingly." The American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages healthy adults to limit naps to no longer than 20 to 30 minutes in the early afternoon. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter While a brief "power nap" can improve daytime alertness and performance, naps of 30 minutes or longer may cause a person to feel groggy after waking up. This grogginess, or "sleep inertia," can delay the short-term benefits of a nap, experts say. For more Health articles, visit Overall, the findings suggest that when it comes to mid-day snoozing, moderation is key — and that napping patterns could be a window into broader health concerns worth discussing with a medical article source: Afternoon napping could have surprising impact on longevity, study suggests
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
Afternoon napping could have surprising impact on longevity, study suggests
A new study linking daytime napping to increased mortality rates in older adults may have some rethinking that midday snooze. The study, presented last month at SLEEP 2025, the 39th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Seattle, Washington, found that frequent, longer and irregular daytime naps — especially in the early afternoon — were linked to a higher risk of death over an eight-year period. "Our study fills a gap in knowledge," lead author Chenlu Gao, a postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Fox News Digital. The research shows "not just whether someone naps, but how long, how variable, and when they nap during the day may be meaningful indicators of future health risk," he said. The study included 86,565 participants averaging 63 years of age — all of whom worked regular daytime schedules — who were monitored by actigraphy, which detects movement during sleep but not brain activity. Scientists defined daytime napping as sleeping between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. After the initial study, researchers kept tabs on the participants for eight years and discovered that 5,189 (6.0%) of them died during that time period. The research showed that taking longer naps — and napping between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. or between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — was associated with a higher mortality rate. Results were adjusted for other potential factors influencing mortality, like demographics, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption and nighttime sleep duration, the researchers stated. "Naps are not necessarily problematic unless they are used to compensate for chronically poor sleep at night," Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York, told Fox News Digital. "Getting seven to nine hours of good quality sleep is required to maintain health and reduce the risk of developing dangerous medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes," added Rohrscheib, who was not involved in the study. "Naps are not necessarily problematic unless they are used to compensate for chronically poor sleep at night." The study did not establish proof that naps directly affect the risk of death. "These are associations," Gao told Fox News Digital. "We cannot conclude from this study whether napping causes poor health." In another potential limitation, because the study relied on detecting movement but not brain activity, "quiet wakefulness" may have been misclassified as sleep. Additionally, defining daytime napping as sleep between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. could have mistakenly included participants' actual sleep, affecting the accuracy of what would count as a nap, the researchers stated. Excessive napping could also be a marker of other health issues, such as chronic disease, systemic inflammation, or disruptions to circadian rhythms, which may themselves increase mortality risk. "Someone who requires daily naps to get through the day is likely not getting sufficient sleep during the night, or has an underlying health condition that causes daytime sleepiness," Rohrscheib noted. Gao added, "We need more research to understand the causal relationships before we can conclude that a certain type of napping pattern would benefit health." "However, we suggest that monitoring napping patterns might help us identify health conditions early, so that we can implement interventions accordingly." The American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages healthy adults to limit naps to no longer than 20 to 30 minutes in the early afternoon. While a brief "power nap" can improve daytime alertness and performance, naps of 30 minutes or longer may cause a person to feel groggy after waking up. This grogginess, or "sleep inertia," can delay the short-term benefits of a nap, experts say. For more Health articles, visit Overall, the findings suggest that when it comes to mid-day snoozing, moderation is key — and that napping patterns could be a window into broader health concerns worth discussing with a medical provider.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Cheeky 12pm habit Aussies need to stop
A recent study has shown that napping during certain hours of the day could be associated with an increased risk of death. According to the research published in the journal Sleep, data from wearable activity trackers showed that nap duration and timing were related to increased all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults. Specifically, naps taken around the middle of the day were linked to a higher risk of death. This development brings scientists closer to understanding whether certain napping habits should raise concerns about a person's health. 'Our study fills a gap in knowledge by showing that not just whether someone naps, but how long, how variable, and when they nap during the day may be meaningful indicators of future health risk,' said lead study author Chenlu Gao, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Health. 'Past studies have relied on self-reported nap habits, which are subject to recall bias.' Study links naps with mortality According to Mrs Gao, numerous studies have explored the link between night-time sleep and mortality. However, she and her colleagues have 'long been interested in understanding daytime napping and its impact on health'. 'We saw a critical need to investigate whether objectively assessed napping behaviours are associated with longevity,' she explained. The team analysed data from 86,565 non-shift working adults, aged 43 to 79 (with an average of 63), who were part of the UK Biobank, a comprehensive biomedical database. Fifty-seven per cent of these participants were women. They wore a device that tracked their rest and activity levels for seven days, with napping defined as any sleep occurring between 9am and 7pm. During the 11-year follow-up period, 5819 of the study participants had died. Researchers identified a higher risk of death associated with three factors: longer naps, greater day-to-day variability in nap length, and more naps around noon and early afternoon. These associations remained true even after adjusting for factors such as body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and overnight sleep duration. While the study established a correlation between different napping habits and mortality, it is crucial to note that it did not prove that napping causes an increased risk of death. It is also uncertain whether these findings apply to the general population. Why might napping be linked to mortality? Currently, as there is no definitive evidence that naps directly cause increased mortality, sleep experts are examining the research for clues — and some suggest that the underlying reasons for napping may be more relevant. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or medical conditions that drain energy, like heart disease, could actually be the underlying cause of the nap-mortality connection. The study did attempt to account for lifestyle factors, but it remains difficult to control for undiagnosed medical conditions. Other experts propose that long, irregular midday naps could influence health by disrupting circadian rhythms, which are the body's internal sleep-wake cycles. This disruption could affect various factors that influence mortality, such as inflammation, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Should we nap? If you feel the need to nap, experts recommend aiming for less than 30 minutes, as this allows you to feel refreshed and energised without experiencing grogginess. Napping earlier in the day can also help prevent your nap from interfering with your ability to sleep at night. If you find yourself napping more frequently or for longer periods, you should consult your doctor.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Harvard study warns: Common napping habits linked to higher death risk
Napping – once celebrated as the 'siesta' – has always been portrayed as a sweet afternoon indulgence – a momentary escape, a boost of productivity, or just a welcomed pause. Think of power naps as the snooze buttons that reset our mental sharpness during a demanding day. However, all that glitters ain't gold! Likewise, all that looks 'healthy' on the surface doesn't necessarily have only health benefits. A new large-scale study from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital challenges this rosy picture, suggesting that some nap patterns might be a silent alarm bell for health trouble. What's happening? A new Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital study is sounding a grim alarm. Tracking over 86,000 adults (average age 63) with wearable devices and following them for 11 years, the researchers found that certain napping patterns – specifically, longer, irregular, or midday-heavy sleeps – were significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality, even after controlling for BMI, alcohol, smoking, and nighttime sleep. Unlike past research based on self-reports, this study tapped objective tracking – via wearable devices worn for seven days – offering fresh insight into daylight dozing habits and long-term outcomes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ductless Air Conditioners Are Selling Like Crazy [See Why] Keep Cool Click Here Undo The reality of 'nappiness' Napping is deeply ingrained in cultures—Mediterranean siestas, polar day naps, even Silicon Valley's nap pods. And there are contexts where naps clearly boost alertness and productivity—think pilots on long-haul flights, or caregivers catching a moment's rest. However, your mid-day resting habits can also predict how soon you'll lie down to 'rest your eyes' — and not get back up. Previous research has focused on the link between nighttime sleep and mortality — but it has overlooked napping, which is a crucial part of the sleep-wake cycle and carries its own health implications, according to Chenlu Gao, PhD, the lead investigator of the study. Gao told Medscape Medical News, 'Our findings suggest that certain patterns of napping could serve as early indicators of declining health.' Napping for longer and on a more irregular schedule were both associated with a higher risk of mortality. Gao explained, 'Longer or more irregular naps may reflect poor nighttime sleep, circadian rhythm disruption, or underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression, or early neurodegenerative changes.' Key findings: the three nap red flags Long naps (>30 minutes) Folks who napped longer than 30 minutes regularly showed significantly higher mortality risk, tied to metabolic issues like obesity and hypertension. Similar patterns have emerged in prior studies – like a meta-analysis of over 300,000 participants – linking long naps to a 19–30 % higher risk of death and heart disease. Irregular naps Unpredictable napping schedules – when nap length varies wildly day to day – also correlated with increased mortality. This inconsistency could disrupt circadian rhythms and mask health issues, potentially worsening metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. Midday-heavy napping (11 am – 3 pm) Surprisingly, those who most often dozed off between late morning and mid-afternoon bore a greater mortality risk, even after adjusting for lifestyle and health factors. Why does it smell of trouble? Gao explained that these 'dangerous' nap patterns might signal underlying sleep disruptions, like poor night sleep or circadian misalignment, or diseases such as cardiovascular or metabolic disorders. And this isn't conjecture. A 2022 Harvard Heart Letter involving 360,000 adults found frequent napping tied to a 12 % increased risk of hypertension and a 24% elevated stroke risk. Likewise, long, irregular naps have been tied to conditions such as high waist circumference, hypertension, insulin resistance, inflammation, and early signs of neurodegenerative decline. While naps shorter than 30–45 minutes seemed benign – or even beneficial – longer and erratic naps raised red flags. This aligns with the idea that consistency matters, a point supported by emerging research showing sleep regularity (beyond just duration) might strongly predict longevity. Correlation or causation? Critically, these are observational links, not proof of causality. Long or irregular naps likely flag health issues rather than cause them. Moreover, nighttime sleep quality, undiagnosed conditions (like sleep apnea or cardiovascular risk factors), and tracking limitations (e.g., misclassified inactivity as naps) all temper interpretations and could lie behind the trends. However, the sheer scale, objective monitoring, and consistency with past findings lend credibility: nap patterns may function as early biomarkers of declining health. The 'nappiness' strategy Experts aren't advising abandoning naps altogether. Instead, they're recommending: nap smart. Keep naps short: 15–30 minutes are ideal ('power naps') – long enough to refresh but short enough to avoid deep sleep inertia. Stay consistent: Same time each day maintains circadian rhythm. Nap early: Before around 3 p.m. helps avoid nighttime sleep interference. Check for underlying issues: Frequent or prolonged daytime dozing – especially with nighttime fatigue – warrants medical review for possible sleep disorders or chronic illness. In fact, a growing body of sleep research hints that napping patterns may serve as an early biomarker of health decline, beyond just rest. The key takeaway? Not all naps are created equal. The modern nap toolkit is evolving. So, yes to short, strategic breaks. Beware long, erratic snoozes. Think of it this way: ask not just whether you nap, but how you nap. Sleep may be the gateway to wellness or the SOS signal in disguise – and napping habits are part of that subtle story. So, when the afternoon slump feels deeper than usual, it might be time to check in with your health. Serious complications during pregnancy linked to higher risk of death: Study One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Medscape
11-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Napping Patterns Tied to All-Cause Mortality Risk
SEATTLE — Timing, duration, and variability of daytime napping are associated with an increased risk for mortality in middle- to older-aged adults, new research showed. An analysis of UK Biobank data, which included more than 86,000 non-shift workers, showed that longer naps, greater variability in daytime napping duration, and higher percentages of naps around noon and in the early afternoon are associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality. 'Our study fills a gap in knowledge by showing that it's not just whether someone naps but how long, how variable, and when they nap may be meaningful indicators of future health risk,' lead investigator Chenlu Gao, PhD, with the Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Medscape Medical News . 'However, it's important to emphasize that these are associations. Because the design of this study is observational, we cannot determine whether napping patterns cause higher mortality risk or simply reflect underlying health conditions,' Gao cautioned. The findings will be presented on June 11 at SLEEP 2025. An Early Indicator of Declining Health? 'While many studies have examined the links between sleep and mortality, they have largely focused on nighttime sleep, often overlooking daytime sleep. However, napping is an important component of the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle and may carry its own health implications,' Gao explained. For the study, the researchers examined whether actigraphy-measured objective daytime napping behaviors predict all-cause mortality in 86,565 non-shift workers. The cohort had a mean age of 63 years at baseline, and 57% were women. They were monitored by actigraphy for 7 days, and daytime napping was defined as sleep between 9 AM and 7 PM. Median nap duration was 0.40 h/d, with 34% of naps taken between 9 and 11 AM, 10% between 11 AM and 1 PM, 14% between 1 and 3 PM, 19% between 3 and 5 PM, and 22% between 5 and 7 PM. During a follow-up period of up to 11 years, 5189 (6.0%) participants died. Overall, as individuals aged, naps tended to become longer and more irregular, with timing shifting toward the afternoon. After adjusting for potential confounders, including demographics, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, and nighttime sleep duration, longer nap duration was associated with an increased risk for mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20 for 1 SD; P < .0001). Greater intraindividual variability (HR, 1.14 for 1 SD; P < .0001) and a higher percentage of naps between 11 AM and 1 PM (HR, 1.07 for 1 SD; P = .0005) and between 1 and 3 PM (HR, 1.07 for 1 SD; P = .0002) were also associated with an increased risk for mortality. 'These findings highlight the potential importance of considering napping behaviors in risk stratification of mortality in middle- to older-aged adults,' the researchers noted in their abstract. 'Longer or more irregular naps may reflect poor nighttime sleep, circadian rhythm disruption, or underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression, or early neurodegenerative changes. Our findings suggest that certain patterns of napping could serve as early indicators of declining health,' said Gao. However, the researchers did not specifically test these mechanisms in this study, and further research is needed to clarify the biological pathways underlying these associations, Gao cautioned. Ask About Napping Commenting on the research for Medscape Medical News , James A. Rowley, MD, professor of medicine and program director, Sleep Medicine Fellowship, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said the 'major take-home message is that if physicians ask about a patient's sleep habits, they should also be asking about napping, not just the nocturnal sleep period. In other words, physicians should be asking their patients, 'do you nap during the day?'' 'One cannot ignore daytime napping and an evaluation for the etiology of daytime napping is important,' said Rowley. Rowley noted that the key questions to consider include whether the patient is obtaining sufficient nocturnal sleep. Could an underlying sleep disorder — such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome — be contributing? Might another medical condition, such as chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, be disrupting nighttime sleep and prompting daytime napping?
