For older adults, naps may be a warning sign of underlying conditions or declining health, according to a new study.
In the study, published in JAMA Network Open on April 20, researchers found morning naps as well as longer and more frequent naps were associated with higher all-cause mortality rates in adults with an average age of 81.
The study, led by investigators from Mass General Brigham and Rush University Medical Center, used data from more than 1,300 adults aged 56 years or older over about 19 years.
"While brief naps can immediately alleviate fatigue and improve alertness," the authors write, "excessive napping in late life has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases and even greater morbidity."
While previous findings relied on self-reported napping habits and left out metrics like when and how regular those naps were, the latest study is one of the first to show an association between objectively measured nap patterns − via wearable devices − and mortality, according to the authors.
