Taking an Afternoon Nap (siesta) Is a Common Habit in Some Countries. a Number of Studies Have Reported a Prevalence of Naps

TAKING AN AFTERNOON NAP (SIESTA) IS A COMMON HABIT IN SOME COUNTRIES. A NUMBER OF STUDIES HAVE REPORTED A PREVALENCE OF NAPS ranging between 16% and 61%.1-6 In Mediterranean and Latin American countries, taking an afternoon nap forms part of the culture and is considered to be a healthy habit. Naps could be attributed to sleep problems or to circadian rhythm disorders among others. Some studies have demonstrated a mortality increase in habitual nappers.1,4,5,7-9 This mortality has been associated with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular morbidity.1,5-8,10,11 Although there is no obvious explanation for this phenomenon, changes in blood pressure or heart rate at the end of the nap could play a role in these vascular disorders.12 Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome affects between 2% and 4% of the adult population13 and is characterized by repetitive obstructions in the upper airway that end in cerebral arousal. The consequences of these repetitive episodes are daytime sleepiness, tiredness, traffic accidents,14,15 increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk,16-20 and even mortality.21,22 Continuous positive airway pressure is the most effective treatment for patients with the sleep apnea syndrome. Continuous positive airway pressure normalizes sleep architecture; decreases the number of arousals; eradicates apneas, hypopneas and snoring; and probably reduces blood pressure23,24 and even mortality.22 Patients with sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome resemble nappers in that they are commonly snorers, male, and overweight.2,4-6 Despite these similarities, no studies have been carried out to date to assess the prevalence of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in regular nappers.25 It appears that nappers might suffer more from sleep apnea, which could contribute to the rise in cardiovascular disorders described in this population. Moreover, napping could be a marker of sleep apnea. Our main objective was thus to determine the association between sleep apneas and napping. Other aims were to determine the relationship between hypertension and sleep apnea in nappers and to ascertain whether the hypertension was associated with napping or with sleep apnea.