"A nap is just as effective as taking a pill to reduce blood pressure", research suggests
Research by Dr. Manolis Kallistratos, from Asklepieion Hospital in Greece, working with 212 people with an average age of 63, found a daily 49 minute siesta (that sounds very exact!!) reduced their blood pressure. But is napping the answer? Or should we be looking at lifestyle?
Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around the body. It is measured in millimetres of Mercury (mmHg) and is given as two figures:
- systolic pressure - the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
- diastolic pressure - the pressure when your heart rests between beats
Therefore if you had a measure of 100 over 70 it would mean you had a systolic of 100mmHG and a diastolic of 70mmHg
Systolic blood pressure should ideally be 90-120mmHg.
Diastolic blood pressure should ideally be 60-80mmHg
High Blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or above
Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or below.
The British Heart Foundation reported that cutting down on salt and alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, together with regular exercise, were best for keeping your blood pressure normal.They also saw the "napping" research and said in response:
"as tempting as it is to nap, making healthy life choices remains the key to preventing heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and various cancers, along with taking appropriate medication when recommended and prescribed".
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