Atrial fibrillation, shortly called A-Fib, begins in the chambers of the heart. It is an irregular beating of the heart that can lead to various other complications. Long daytime naps that extend above 30 minutes can lead to A-Fib, which is one of the common disorders related to heart rhythm. In this blog, let us discuss how these longer naps can raise your odds of Atrial fibrillation.

Why Do People Take Long Naps?

People who don’t sleep well at night may tend to doze off during the day. In other words, if the quality or quantity of night sleep is disturbed, then they feel like napping for a longer time during the day. Apart from this, long naps may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s in elderly adults. People who usually nap during the day for more than an hour may face higher risks of Alzheimer’s when compared to those who don’t take such naps or those who nap for less than 30 minutes.

Now, you have got the answer to your question, “What are long naps a symptom of?”

Is It Normal for Adults to Nap Every Day?

In the case of elderly adults, sleep might get disturbed at night due to frequent restroom breaks. So, they might want to compensate during the day. Therefore, it is pretty normal for some adults to nap every day, whereas it is not the same for younger adults. When elder adults are at home during the day, they might like to take short naps. However, a lot of healthy adults don’t nap during the day because they have trained their bodies in such a way right from a young age.

A long daytime nap causes laziness and tiredness in young adults whereas older adults relish the extra sleeping hours during the day.

How Are Long Daytime Naps Related to A-Fib?

Long daytime naps can disrupt the body’s Circadian Rhythm, which is nothing but the internal clock. This can result in shorter night-time sleep and reduced physical activities. Thus, longer daytime napping can lead to enhanced nocturnal awakening. This, in turn, contributes to more sleep during the day! So, this becomes a vicious cycle. When the cycle continues for quite some time, the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) will start beating faster. 

Some people might not feel anything if the ventricles beat at a normal rate or at a slightly faster pace. But if they begin beating rapidly, then they might notice some symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or dizziness.

So, the answer to your question, “Are long naps healthy?” is a straight NO. Therefore, a nap time of more than 30 minutes is not recommended because it may raise the chances of A-Fib.

Also, a good night’s sleep is crucial for good health because the body’s immune system and sleep are directly linked.

What Should You Do if You Have A-Fib?

If you notice the symptoms of A-Fib in your body, you need to get the help of your healthcare provider immediately. If you leave it untreated, it can lead to stroke or more severe complications. If you have A-Fib, your pulse might be weak or erratic. However, if your A-Fib is mild, there won’t be huge differences in your pulse. In such cases, you may feel out of breath or just tired. In some cases, you can’t be sure that these symptoms are because of A-Fib or some other medical condition. So, it is best to consult your healthcare provider without further delay.

Hope you have found this blog helpful in knowing the association between long daytime naps and A-Fib. So, if someone asks you the question, “Are long naps healthy?” now, you know what to say!