This study evaluated the association between habitual siesta duration (non-nappers, short nappers ≤30 min, long nappers >30 min) and cardiometabolic outcomes over a 7-year follow-up in 872 patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) from the CORDIOPREV trial.
Short nappers (≤30 min) had consistently lower weight, BMI, abdominal circumference, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides vs. long nappers (p < 0.05); in diabetic patients, short napping was specifically linked to better glucose metabolism and triglyceride levels, while in non-diabetic patients the benefit was mainly anthropometric.
Observational follow-up design limits causal inference; nap duration was self-reported, introducing measurement error; the study population is limited to CHD patients, so findings may not generalize to the broader public.
Consider counseling CHD patients to keep daytime naps to 30 minutes or less, as a short siesta habit was linked to a more favorable cardiometabolic profile — particularly for glycemic and lipid markers in those with diabetes.
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