Dr Manolis Kallistratos, a researcher from Greece at the ESC meeting on August 31, noted that napping lowers the body’s blood pressure and reduces the use of antihypertensive drugs. ”Two influential British prime ministers – Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher – were strong proponents of napping. And according to our research, it may be because of their napping habits that they have lower blood pressure and may use fewer antihypertensive medications as a result,” Dr Manolis Kallistratos said, “Napping is a product of today’s 9 to 5 work environment and stressful daily life, but napping The real question is: Is it just a habit or can it also be beneficial to your health?” The aim of this prospective study was to assess the effect of napping on blood pressure in patients with hypertension. A total of 386 hypertensive patients (200 men, 186 women, mean age 61.4 years) were included in the study. All patients were assessed for nap time (minutes), office blood pressure, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, lifestyle habits, body mass index (BMI), and a complete echocardiogram including left atrial size. After correcting for other factors that can affect blood pressure, such as age, sex, BMI, smoking status, salt intake, alcohol, exercise and coffee consumption, the researchers found that patients who habitually napped had a mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure that was about 5 percent (6 mmHg) lower than those who did not nap. When awake, the average systolic blood pressure was about 4 percent (5 mmHg) lower in patients who habitually napped than in those who did not; when they slept at night, the average systolic blood pressure was about 6 percent (7 mmHg) lower in patients who napped. Dr Kallistratos said, “Although napping did not significantly lower average blood pressure, it is worth noting that a 2 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10%.” The researchers also found that patients who habitually napped had 11 percent smaller pulse wave velocity and 5 percent smaller left atrial diameter than patients who did not nap. These findings suggest that patients who habitually napped had less physical damage due to higher blood pressure. Napping time was associated with higher arterial blood pressure load, with patients who napped for 60 minutes having a mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure 4 mmHg lower and spoon blood pressure 5% higher than those who did not nap. Spoon blood pressure patients napped for an average of 17 minutes longer than non-spoon blood pressure patients. In conclusion, the study suggests that napping can lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension, and that longer naps are more beneficial. Patients who were accustomed to napping had a greater decrease in blood pressure during their nighttime sleep, which was beneficial to their health. In addition, patients who habitually napped used fewer antihypertensive medications compared to those who did not. Dr Kallistratos concluded that napping is associated with lower 24-hour blood pressure, greater nighttime blood pressure reduction, and less damage to the arteries and heart, and that the longer the nap, the lower the level of systolic blood pressure and the less antihypertensive medication may be needed.