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Association between self-reported napping and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

Meta-analysis of 21 cohort studies (371,306 adults) reporting higher all-cause mortality for any self-reported daytime napping versus none (HR 1.28), with null associations for naps under 1 hour but elevated risks for naps of 1 hour or longer.

Design

  • Included: 21 cohort studies, 371,306 participants
  • Endpoints: all-cause mortality and CVD

Pooled HR highlights (random-effects meta-analysis; abstract)

  • Any nap vs none — mortality: HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.18–1.38; I² 38.8%; p < 0.001)
  • Nap <1 h vs none — mortality: HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.90–1.11; p = 0.971)
  • Nap ≥1 h vs none — mortality: HR 1.22 (95% CI 1.12–1.33; p < 0.001)
  • Any nap vs none — CVD: HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.02–1.38; I² 87.9%; p = 0.031)
  • Nap <1 h vs none — CVD: HR 1.03 (95% CI 0.87–1.12; p = 0.721)
  • Nap ≥1 h vs none — CVD: HR 1.37 (95% CI 1.09–1.71; p = 0.007)

Evidence hygiene

  • Observational nap self-report varies by culture; residual confounding likely
  • Compare duration logic with Yang et al. 2024 (30 min cut) on the same protocol page

Outcomes

  • All-Cause Mortality Risk
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  • All-Cause Mortality Risk
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  • All-Cause Mortality Risk
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  • All-Cause Mortality Risk
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