Morning naps may be sign of health issues in older adults, study finds
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that morning naps, as well as longer and more frequent naps, are linked to higher all-cause mortality rates in older adults with an average age of 81.
- The research analyzed data from over 1,300 adults aged 56 and older over a 19-year period, using wearable devices to objectively measure nap patterns rather than relying on self-reports.
- Excessive napping in late life may signal underlying health issues such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, or other chronic conditions, rather than being a direct cause of increased mortality.
- The study highlights the potential clinical value of monitoring napping habits through wearable technology to detect early signs of declining health and intervene accordingly.
- Lead author Chenlu Gao emphasized that while naps can relieve fatigue, excessive daytime napping likely reflects underlying disease or circadian rhythm disruptions, making nap assessment a promising tool for predicting health outcomes.
