A new study suggests a midday siesta may help cut the risk of cardiovascular disease related to stress.

Researchers say there is little downside to taking a nap in the middle of the day and it may be an easy way to cut your risk of dying from heart disease.

“The siesta is a victim of progress. Most of us aren’t in the position to take a daily nap,”  says Dimitrios Trichopoulos, MD, a study author. “But our research suggests that the practice could help protect the heart, and we need further studies to find out if this really is the case.”

Trichopoulos says the research stemmed from the comparison of lower  heart disease death rates  in Mediterranean and Latin American countries where midday siestas are part of the culture, compared to the much more labour- intensive society in North America.

“It makes sense that lowering stress levels with a daily siesta or even a semi-siesta could benefit the heart,”   says Florida cardiologist Gerald Fletcher, MD, of the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville  . “We are increasingly recognizing the importance of sleep in cardiology.”

And researchers say anytime to rest is better than none at all.

Fletcher says even  by just  sitting or lying quietly for five or 10 minutes sometime during the day can be good for you.

“Even going out and sitting in the sunshine for a few minutes might be beneficial.”  

SOURCE: WebMD Article; Take a Nap, Protect Your Heart? Large Greek Study Suggests Midday Siestas Cut Heart Deaths : http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20070212/take-a-nap-protect-your-heart