Napping may be as good as drugs for lowering blood pressure

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(Marie Cohut/ Medical News Today) — When the afternoon slump hits in the middle of a busy workday, many of us may feel tempted to catch some shut-eye in a quiet corner.

Daytime napping can definitely help boost our energy levels and productivity for the rest of the workday, but does it bring any other health benefits?

A new study that investigators from the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece conducted now suggests that taking a nap at midday can effectively help people lower their blood pressure levels.

One of the study researchers, Dr. Manolis Kallistratos, is due to present the findings at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans, LA next Monday.

“Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 [millimeters of mercury (mmHg)],” reports Dr. Kallistratos. (…)

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