Napping appears to be linked with an increased risk of death, a recent study says.
Too much napping is linked to an elevated risk of death among older people, researchers of Mass General Brigham mentioned in the report published on April 20, 2026.
Every additional nap and each extra hour of sleep is associated with an ever-increasing risk of death, the experts noticed by tracking hundreds of seniors for nearly two decades. Medical professional can use napping patterns to monitor their health.
Excessive daytime napping in later life has been linked to neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and greater morbidity. But several of the findings depend on self-reported napping habits and omit metrics such as when and how regularly those naps occur.
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One member of the research team said that their study is among the first to reveal a connection between objectively measured napping patterns and chronic health conditions.
The prevalence of napping ranges from 20% to 60% among elderly individuals, according to the researchers’ background information.
To determine whether naps predict sickness and mortality, the researchers followed 1,338 elderly patients for up to 19 years. Upon entering the study, the elderly patients wore wrist actigraphy monitors for approximately 10 days to record their sleep and nap behaviors.
All the subjects (99%) had naps while wearing wrist activity monitors. Daytime naps were those occurring between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
According to the results obtained,
- Each additional hour of daytime napping increases the risk of mortality by 13%.
- Each nap increase per day increases the risk of mortality by 7%.
- Morning naps have a greater chance of leading to death than afternoon naps by 30%.
According to the National Council on Ageing, if people sleep too much in the morning, the issue needs to be addressed immediately. Excessive napping, according to experts, is likely to indicate underlying health conditions, sleep disturbances, and circadian dysregulation.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.