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Daytime Sleep Accelerates Cardiovascular Recovery after Psychological Stress

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Abstract

Background

Sleep restriction and poor sleep quality is linked with cardiovascular morbidity.

Purpose

The present study aimed to explore the influence of daytime sleep supplementation on cardiovascular reactivity.

Method

Participants (N = 85) were generally healthy young adults and were randomized to a 60-min polysomnographically-monitored sleep condition or to a no-sleep condition. Participants then completed a standard three-phase mental stress reactivity task.

Results

Significantly lower mean arterial pressure means were found in the recovery phase of the stress reactivity task among participants that accrued more than 45 min of daytime sleep.

Conclusion

These findings suggest daytime sleep may offer cardiovascular benefit in the form of greater cardiovascular recovery from psychological stress. Further research should assess daytime sleep characteristics (time of day, length, and architecture) on cardiovascular response, in an effort to better understand its role as a possible recuperative agent against suboptimal nocturnal sleep patterns.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Amy Kimicata, Catie Vance, Lenny Costantini, and David Domachowski for their assistance with data collection and for their comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript. This research was supported by the FIPSE Endowed Fund and the Shanbrom Fund at Allegheny College.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Allegheny College, 520 North Main Street, Box 39, Meadville, PA, 16335, USA

    Ryan C. Brindle & Sarah M. Conklin

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  1. Ryan C. Brindle
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  2. Sarah M. Conklin
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Correspondence to Sarah M. Conklin.

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Brindle, R.C., Conklin, S.M. Daytime Sleep Accelerates Cardiovascular Recovery after Psychological Stress. Int.J. Behav. Med. 19, 111–114 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9150-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9150-0

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