10 things that can make incontinence worse

(Health.com) -- Incontinence can happen to anyone, although it's more common in women than in men.

"Mild urinary leakage affects most women at some time in our lives," says Mary Rosser, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York City. "Although it is more common in older women, younger women may experience leakage as well."

You may have stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or some other type. The good news is that there are treatments -- and lifestyle changes -- that can help.

Health.com: What type of incontinence do you have?

 

Fluid intake

It's no surprise that too many drinks -- whether water, milk, or other beverages -- can be a problem for people with incontinence.

However, you can't solve incontinence by severely cutting back on fluids. This can lead to dehydration, constipation, and kidney stones, which can actually irritate your bladder and make symptoms worse.

It's important to get the right balance, says Rosser, who recommends about two liters of fluid a day, which is eight 8-ounce glasses. (The right amount depends on your lean body mass.)

If you're prone to nighttime incontinence, cut back your fluid intake in the evening.

InHealth: Simple solutions for an overactive bladder

Alcohol

If you have incontinence, happy hour can be anything but happy. Alcohol is a diuretic. It causes you to produce more urine, which can contribute to urge incontinence. And it can irritate the bladder, which is a problem for those with overactive bladder.

"Limiting the amount of alcohol you consume to one drink a day can help," says John L. Phillips, M.D., program director of urology at New York Medical College, in Valhalla, New York.

Health.com: 3 ways to manage overactive bladder

Coffee and tea

Coffee and tea, once your best friends, may now be your worst enemies.

They contain caffeine, which like alcohol, is both a diuretic and a bladder irritant.

"Caffeine is implicated in directly causing irritation of the bladder lining. People who do have bladder problems, on average, do better if they reduce their caffeine consumption, so it's the first thing we look at," says Phillips.

Decaf coffee and tea, which contain small amounts of caffeine, may be no better. If you love your caffeine, cut back slowly to avoid headaches and other withdrawal symptoms.

Chocolate

Sorry chocolate lovers, but thanks in part to the caffeine content, this sugary treat may spell trouble for an overactive bladder.

It doesn't matter if it's dark or milk chocolate, hot chocolate, or chocolate milk (which contains about the same amount of caffeine as decaf coffee).

When it comes to incontinence, all might pose a problem.

Sugar

Before you replace your chocolate fix with Twizzlers, consider this: Controlling your sweet tooth may also help you control your bladder.

Although not as well-studied as caffeine and alcohol, sugary foods, including those that contain honey, corn syrup, and fructose, can also aggravate your bladder, some evidence suggests.

Artificial sweeteners may be no better; some research indicates they contribute to urge incontinence.

But that doesn't mean you have to cut out sweets completely. "Sugar is enjoyable -- just make it part of a balanced diet," says Phillips.

Health.com: 12 natural remedies for incontinence

Fizzy drinks

A can of Coke may be a double whammy for your bladder thanks to the caffeine and carbonation.

Carbonated drinks have been shown to worsen some incontinence symptoms.

"When someone is suffering from incontinence, we suggest cutting artificial foods and colorings, chemicals, and caffeine, and trying to stick to a more natural diet, filled with natural antioxidants and vitamins, including fruits and vegetables, and water," says Phillips.

Try eliminating bubbly beverages -- even those without caffeine -- to see if it helps.

Spicy foods

If it's hot, you may have to go.

Studies suggest that people who avoid spicy foods, like curry, chili pepper, and cayenne pepper, may reduce their urinary incontinence symptoms.

"There are certain foods that are triggers for people with incontinence or overactive bladders, including spicy foods, which doctors have identified as common irritants for women," says Kristen Burns, an adult urology nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore.

"The best thing is to avoid foods and drinks if you notice they are a problem for you."

Citrus fruits

They may provide vitamin C, but citrus fruits and drinks can be a problem for people with urge incontinence.

Acidic foods and beverages, such as grapefruits, oranges, limes, lemons, and even tomatoes, can irritate your bladder, and may worsen incontinence symptoms.

"The bladder muscle has all kinds of nerves that can be affected by irritants, like acidic foods, which can exacerbate urgency symptoms," says Burns.

Health.com: Gotta go? 13 reasons for urine trouble

Cranberry juice

Because it's often used to help control urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder infections, many people wrongly assume that cranberry juice can also help with an overactive bladder.

Unfortunately, when it comes to certain types of urinary problems, like incontinence, cranberry juice can actually make symptoms worse, due to its acidic pH.

"Cranberry juice (unless you have frequent UTIs and want to prevent infections) is not a good choice for someone who already has an irritable bladder, because of its acidic content," says Burns.

Medication

Certain heart medications, blood pressure-lowering drugs, muscle relaxants, sedatives, and other drugs can make incontinence worse.

"Diuretics remove excess fluid from the body so the heart and other organs can function more efficiently," says Rosser. "This leads to an increased fluid load to the bladder."

Talk to your doctor about whether your prescription medications might be contributing to incontinence -- don't cut back or stop taking them on your own.

Also try to avoid caffeine-containing medication in general, such as Excedrin.

Copyright Health Magazine 2010

For a wide choice of incontinent products including: adult diapers and other protective underwear visit http://www.goldeneramart.com/incontinence_product/.

Living With Urinary Incontinence? Don’t Let It Be Your Secret

Incontinence is the involuntary discharge of urine or faeces due to a lack of control by the bladder (Urinary Incontinence) or bowel (Faecal Incontinence). The excretory system of urine is called the  urinary tract and comprises: the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder and the urethra. Urine is filtered by the kidneys and transported via two tubes (ureters) into the bladder. Several layers of muscle form the wall of the bladder; the thickest is called the detrusor muscle. At the junction of the bladder and the uretha is the sphincter muscle whose function is to control the flow of urine through the urethra. A healthy bladder is capable of expanding to accommodate 300-500 ml of fluid. At 200ml. we get the first urge to urinate. When this occurs, the detrusor muscle contracts, the sphincter muscle relaxes and urine is forced out through the urethra. Once finished, the process is reversed: the bladder relaxes and the sphincter contracts, stopping the flow of urine.

Your ability to control urination requires: a normal anatomy, a normally functioning nervous system and being able to determine and respond to the warning signs of impending urination. Urinary incontinence occurs when you are unable to control the flow, causing leakage or in severe cases an inability to retain urine.

Types, Causes and Treatment

There are five recognized types of urinary incontinence: Urge, Stress, Overflow, Functional and Mixed Incontinence:

• Urge Incontinence – Described as a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate and unable to get to the toilet in time to avoid loss of a substantial amount of urine. It can also manifest itself by an intense urge to urinate when there is only a small amount of urine in the bladder, resulting in the person straining to urinate. The leading causes of urge incontinence have been identified as: neurological disorders, urinary tract infections and changes in the bladder leading to its inability to contract effectively.
• Effective treatment includes: pelvic muscle exercises, bladder retraining, biofeedback and drugs in persistent cases.
• Stress Incontinence -- The most common type of this affliction. This is an involuntary loss of urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog or perform any other activity which may increase pressure on the bladder. This occurs due to weakened support for the pelvic muscles and/or weakness in the sphincter muscle. The treatment for urge incontinence is the same as that of stress, however, surgery may also be recommended.
• Mixed Incontinence – This is the diagnosis for persons presenting the symptoms of both urge and stress incontinence. A widely held belief is that people with stress incontinence frequently empty their bladders prematurely, conditioning the bladder to function at a low capacity. Treatment is focused on the primary cause, employing the previously mentioned methods. 
• Overflow Incontinence  – In this situation there is frequent leakage without the person having any prior urge to urinate. The urine stream is usually weak This can be due to an obstruction in the bladder, causing it to become too full and eventually leaking. Other probable causes are: neurological disorders, medication, constipation, another medical condition (enlarged prostrate) and post-surgery side effects. This is usually treated through a change in diet, drugs or surgery.
•  Functional Incontinence -- This is not associated with any problem in the person’s urinary tract but due to a pre-existing condition such as: a physical or cognitive impediment, restricted mobility, nervous system disorders, or an inability to communicate. This affliction is very prevalent among people needing long-term care. There are no treatments in this situation but there’s an assortment of incontinent undergarments such as: incontinent panties, incontinent briefs, underpads along with incontinent bedding other  to be used in this situation.

The Silent Affliction

Let there be no misconceptions, incontinence is not an affliction of the aged. In fact adults of any age can develop this ailment with women being more at risk than men. This being due to anatomical differences and the changes brought on by pregnancy and childbirth. The risks increase with age however, because as the body ages, muscles weaken making urine retention more difficult. Many people with incontinence suffer in silence. Excretion (Incontinence) has always been an embarrassing topic, instead of seeking help most people try to manage the situation by themselves even keeping it from their doctor. This can often lead to the development of additional problems including: low self-esteem, social withdrawal, isolation, and depression.  This need not be so; in most cases incontinence can be treated. If you are suffering in silence or think you may have a problem, do not hesitate to consult your doctor

 © 2010 Goldeneramart.com - All Rights Reserved

For a wide choice of incontinent products including: incontinence panties, briefs, pads  and other protective underwear visit http://www.goldeneramart.com/incontinence_product/. 

High Blood Pressure - Are You At Risk?

When your heart pumps blood, pressure is exerted against the walls of the arteries, prompting the term “blood pressure". While your heart is actively pumping blood, your blood pressure is at its highest, referred to as systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest - between beats - your blood pressure falls, this is diastolic pressure. These two numbers are used to determine your blood pressure with the systolic pressure being placed ahead of the diastolic pressure and written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 (normal). Both of these numbers are important. Any reading above 120/80 places the body at risk, the higher the pressure, the greater the risk. 

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic ailment in which the blood pressure (BP) reading is constantly 140/90 and above. If this pressure rises and remains high for a prolong period it can cause serious damage in the form of: stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm or kidney failure. Signs of prehypertension are 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom numbers, this is a precursor to high blood pressure and immediate steps should taken to avoid a more serious condition.

The principal types of hypertension are: primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension: The majority of people diagnosed, suffer from primary hypertension with there being no identifiable cause for the illness. Although there are no specific causes the consensus is that: family history, environment, smoking, diet, obesity, salt intake and sensitivity are probable contributors. Secondary hypertension is a condition brought on by an existing heart, arteries or kidney ailment. Similar to primary hypertension there are no overt signs or symptoms, this has given rise to its reputation as “the silent killer”. Additional factors which may contribute to high blood pressure are: tumors, alcohol addiction, thyroid dysfunction, birth control pills, pregnancy and narrowing of the aorta. Most people are not even aware that they are suffering with high blood pressure and it only becomes apparent upon examination by a physician. Unfortunately in a majority of cases by the time a diagnosis is made the disease is in quite an advanced stage.

There’s a two pronged approach to providing treatment for this disease. They are: medication and self care. In situations where the illness is due to the existence of another disease, the high blood pressure will be alleviated once this primary disease is treated. For sufferers of secondary hypertension there are a variety of prescription drugs available: diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers

• Diuretics (Water Pills) – recommended as the first line of treatment, this medication work on the kidneys to help rid your body of sodium and water thus reducing blood pressure.
• Beta blockers – they reduce the effects of excitement and physical exertion on the heart and opens the blood vessels.  The heart then beats slower while exerting less force.
• Calcium Channel Blockers – These dilate the arteries thereby reducing the amount of pressure exerted on them, putting less strain on the heart.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE ) inhibitors – Angiotensin II is  a chemical produced in the blood which causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract. The inhibitors restrict this activity allowing the blood vessels to enlarge.
•  Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers – This medication is similar in function to ACE inhibitors. It prevents angiotensin II from binding to angiotensin II receptors on blood vessels allowing the vessel to enlarge.

Some individuals are predisposed to getting the disease, with age, heredity, race and socio-economic status being some of the contributing factors. Likewise: obesity, sodium sensitivity, excessive alcohol and drug use along with lack of exercise. Whether you already suffer with the illness or are at risk of acquiring it, there are steps which you can take to improve, delay or prevent the rise in blood pressure. A healthy lifestyle, including weight loss, quitting smoking, limit of alcohol intake, a healthy diet and exercise can go a long way towards improving and maintaining your health.

Awareness of your blood pressure numbers can be key to avoiding the more serious consequences of neglect. Constant monitoring through use of a home blood pressure monitor or regular checkups by your doctor and following a treatment plan can go a long way towards ensuring long and lasting good health.

© 2010 Goldeneramart.com - All Rights Reserved.

Women who drink less may still become incontinent

By Kerry Grens

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Drinking less to avoid incontinence later in life? A new study suggests it may not help.

"Especially for older women, adequate hydration is important, and they shouldn't be restricting fluids for fear of causing incontinence," Fran Grodstein, the lead researcher on the study, told Reuters Health.

Incontinence can be caused by poor control over a full bladder or forced leaks from sneezing or laughing. People who experience it frequently limit how much they drink to manage the problem and reduce leaks.

This study, however, looked at women who had not yet developed incontinence, to see whether fewer beverages each day could prevent the onset of incontinence years later. Grodstein and her colleagues pulled data from more than 65,000 health and lifestyle surveys of female nurses.

The surveys tracked nurses for 2 to 4 years, asking how much they drank each day, and seeing who later developed incontinence.

The researchers tallied all beverages, including alcohol, coffee, milk, water and juice. The survey did not ask how many beverages each day the women had, but rather the total amount of fluids they drank.

Drinking ranged from a little more than a liter - about three 12-ounce cans of soda - to nearly three liters each day.

About 30 percent of the women later came to have at least one leaking episode per month, which Grodstein said is consistent with other estimates of incontinence among women. (Incontinence is much less common among men.)

The researchers grouped the women into five categories, from the smallest amount of fluid intake to the largest.

"The rate of developing incontinence was the same," said Grodstein, who is an associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

The study, published online last month in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Philippe Zimmern, a professor of urology at UT Southwestern Medical School and who was not involved in the study, said he thinks the findings are valid, but that it would be worthwhile to examine the data in finer detail.

One factor Zimmern said was missing is how often the women urinated.

"You can mask incontinence by going to the bathroom frequently enough," Zimmern told Reuters Health, and that can lead to underestimates of incontinence.

The data for this research came from the massive Nurses' Health Study, which has tracked the health of about 200,000 women for decades. One limitation of the study is that the majority of participants are white and, of course, they share the same profession.

Zimmern said he isn't aware of women restricting how much they drink to prevent incontinence from later developing.

But "it's terrific to settle that issue for good," he said.

SOURCE: bit.ly/hX83Rt American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, online February 23, 2011.

Does she need the money? Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg's new role... advertising incontinence pads

By Daily Mail Reporter

With a successful film career behind her, an Oscar on her mantelpiece and a primetime daily chatshow, Whoopi Goldberg is surely not short of a bit of money.
So there must be another reason why Whoopi chose to take a new role advertising incontinence pads.
The comedienne plays a series of historical characters as she makes jokes about her 'little secret' in the light-hearted web advert.

Does she need the money? Whoopi Goldberg dresses as Cleopatra to advertise incontinence pads in a new online advert for Poise Light Incontinence Pads

 

 

Historical figures: Whoopi plays French national heroine  Joan Of Arc, and biblical figures including Eve

While many celebrities, conscious of their public image, might be embarrassed to be associated with any type of intimate hygiene product, Whoopi seems determined to remove the stigma attached to using them.
Playing Eve, the Mona Lisa, Joan of Arc, the Statue Of Liberty and Cleopatra, Whoopi finds a light-hearted way of dealing with a serious issue.

In the advert, which she mostly wrote, the Sister Act star admits: 'I have a little secret, I leak. Just a little spritzer.
'One in three women have this issue, it's like a big secret but we are all walking around with wet pants.'

'The Princess And The Pee': One skit features her as the fairytale character, who this time has wet her bedsheets

Liberty: Whoppi claims the statue would have stood taller if she had used the pads

The Oscar wining star, 55, goes on to describe the merits of the product - Poise Pads - which are designed to catch Light Bladder Leakage.

Destigmatised: Poise pads for female incontinence

The Talk host Whoopi also discussed the problem on her daytime chatshow, which is aimed at a female audience.
The One In Three Like Me campaign also includes print adverts and TV adverts designed to highlight how common the problem is, even among young women.

 

Women are more likely to suffer from the condition if they've had hysterectomies or multiple children, if they are overweight, or if they are athletes, with runners and tennis players particularly susceptible.
The campaign by Poise makers Kimberly-Clark is the biggest ever investment in advertising the products.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1363012/Does-need-money-Oscar-winner-Whoopi-Goldberg-gets-new-job--advertising-incontinence-pads.html#ixzz1G7UWWSbM

Sugary drinks and high blood pressure -- a link?

By Rosie Mestel, Los Angeles Times

I expect consequences from drinking lots of sugary sodas. Like: unneeded calories, possible spikes in blood sugar, slow but steady erosion of tooth enamel (if those oft-repeated science fair projects with the teeth in the plastic cup of Coke are to be believed) and caffeine jitters.

But a rise in blood pressure? A study just published in the journal Hypertension argues that you might be in for that if you have a sugary-beverage habit.

The finding comes from the so-called INTERMAP study, which stands for International study of Macro/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure, which kind of works as a name if you ignore words like “study” and “blood.”  This particular INTERMAP report analyzed data from 2, 696 middle-aged adults in the U.S. and U.K. On several occasions, their blood pressure was taken. Urine samples were taken for two 24-hour periods. Information about their diet in the previous 24 hours was collected.

Each extra serving of sugar-sweetened beverage daily led to an elevation of systolic blood pressure of  1.6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and an elevation of  diastolic blood pressure  by 0.8 mm Hg higher blood pressure readings, reported Ian Brown of Imperial College London and colleagues. This didn’t hold for diet beverages: In fact, the opposite relationship was seen for diet drinks. The finding appeared to be stronger for those who consumed more sodium and was independent of caffeine, plus the researchers did try to control for other lifestyle factors as well as height and weight.

Related: Diet soda and heart, stroke risk: A link doesn't prove cause and effect

The scientists note that animal studies already report that extra glucose and fructose are known to have an effect on blood pressure, and there are a few human clinical trials that suggest the same thing, so the observation is not physiologically nutty. They particularly mention the PREMIER study (all studies have to have a jazzy name these days, it seems), in which 810 people with hypertension or so-called prehypertension (higher than healthy but not yet over the line into full-blown hypertension) were coaxed to reduce their sugar intake over 18 months and managed to lower their blood pressure somewhat.

How might the effect work? For fructose, the scientists offer this explanation: Fructose is ultimately metabolized to uric acid, which can cause the body to reduce blood levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels — so if you have less of it around, it makes sense that blood pressure would rise some.

The scientists also note that sugar consumption can lead to sodium retention and a revving-up of the sympathetic nervous system, both of which can also increase blood pressure.

Now for the caveats:

This was a cross-sectional population study. In other words, it’s not like someone’s directly controlled similar people’s sugary-beverage consumption. There could be differences between the groups of people who drank or didn’t drink sugary beverages. Nor had the scientists tracked people for years, having first ascertained that they drink sugary sodas, then watched to see what happened to them. So there’s no “this came first, then that” established here.

And the study (like many food-disease studies) depended on people remembering what they ate.  People aren’t that good at such recall, even if it’s about yesterday.  And if they know they’re in bad shape it’s possible they’d be more likely to report consuming things that are bad for them.

Here’s another: “residual confounding,” as the authors put it. In other words, try as you might to factor out other habits of diet and lifestyle that might go along with drinking sugary sodas, it’s pretty hard to do that 100%. Crappy habits do tend to band together.

But the science, at least, suggests several mechanisms, and it wouldn’t hurt to cut down on sugary drinks anyway, we’re guessing. Finally, here, as listed in the paper, are a few items that seem to be firmly linked to high blood pressure:  “high sodium intake, inadequate potassium intake, high body mass index (BMI), and  excessive alcohol intake.”

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Low Blood Pressure, Should You Be Concerned!

Blood pressure is the result of the flow of blood times the resistance in the blood vessels as the heart pumps out blood. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. When the heart is actively pumping blood, the pressure is at its highest and referred to as systolic pressure. Between beats, when your heart is at rest the pressure falls this is diastolic pressure. These two numbers determine your blood pressure and are usually written one above/or before the other for example 120/80 or spoken as 120 over 80 (Normal). A reading of 90/60 or lower is considered as low (Hypotension), while 140/90 is considered as high (Hypertension). A blood pressure chart when used in tandem with your blood pressure monitor can be an invaluable tool towards alleviating your concerns or fears. 

Low blood pressure may not have gained the notoriety as that of high blood pressure but if left untreated its consequences can be just as damaging. There are a variety of ailments related to low blood pressure which if not diagnosed and treated in their early stages can lead to serious complications. Most prominent are: postural (orthostatic) hypotension and neutrally mediated (neurogenic orthostatic) hypotension.

Postural Hypotension manifests itself as a dizzy or light headed feeling when moving from a lying or sitting position to standing position. It is thought to be caused by the inability of the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary vital actions, such as the heartbeat) to respond appropriately to sudden changes. It is believed that this can happen for a variety of reasons including: lack of food, extended exposure to heat, or being overly tired. People who are taking medication for high blood pressure are also prone to this illness. Treatment is dependent on the severity of the symptoms and may include increased fluid and salt intake and avoiding prolong periods without food or drink. Medication which encourages sodium retention and absorption may also be prescribed.

Neutrally Mediated Hypotension - when the regulation of blood pressure by the body is affected, particularly when standing. It is believed to be a lack of communication between the brain and the nerve censors which control heart rate and blood pressure. Not always is the condition serious, in some cases it may just be temporary while in others it can result in a person being unable to stand for long periods, dizziness, blurred vision and near fainting.

The kidneys can balance low blood pressure naturally by retaining salt and water, thereby making medical intervention unnecessary. However, it is advisable that you speak to your doctor if your monitor registers consistent low blood pressure readings or you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned. For some people a reading below 120/80 is normal and no cause for alarm. This low or borderline reading is normal and may even be considered a sign of good cardiovascular health, since this can also be an indication of little stress on the heart, lungs and blood vessels. A fall in pressure may also be due to some event (example standing too quickly) or because of a medical condition. However, low blood pressure cannot always be ignored. If you experience frequent bouts of dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, rapid weak pulse, muscle weakness, fatigue, headache, cold clammy skin and lack of concentration you should consult your doctor for an evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, if necessary. In extreme cases the body can be deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen which can result in impaired heart and brain functions and respiratory problems leading to loss of consciousness or shock.

© 2010 Goldeneramart.com - All Rights Reserved.

Blood Pressure Management: Sleep On It

A daytime sleep could have cardiovascular benefits according to new research by Ryan Brindle and Sarah Conklin, PhD, from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania in the US. Their study, looking at the effect of a daytime nap on cardiovascular recovery following a stress test, found that those participants who slept for at least 45 minutes during the day had lower average blood pressure after psychological stress than those who did not sleep. The work is published in Springer's journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine.

Long work schedules, shift work, increased anxiety and a greater use of the internet and television late at night - all characteristics of our modern society - have had an impact on nocturnal sleep. We no longer sleep as long as we used to: The average sleep duration is now almost 2 hours shorter per night than it was 50 years ago. And this could be impacting our long-term health. For example, sleeping less has been linked to an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular problems generally.

Brindle and Conklin's experiment examined how daytime sleep might influence cardiovascular recovery after a mental stress test in the laboratory. They split 85 healthy university students into two groups: One group was allotted a 60-minute interval during the day when they had the opportunity to sleep; the other group did not sleep during the day. The researchers also asked the students to complete questionnaires assessing sleep quality and complete a cardiovascular reactivity task, involving a complex mental subtracting exercise. Brindle and Conklin measured the students' blood pressure and pulse rates at regular intervals throughout the experiment.

They found that daytime sleep seemed to have a restorative effect with students in the sleep condition reporting lower scores of sleepiness than those who did not sleep. Although blood pressure and pulse rates rose in both groups between baseline and the stress phase, during the recovery phase, those who had napped had significantly lower average blood pressure readings than those who had not slept. These results show that sleeping between 45 and 60 minutes during the day appears to facilitate blood pressure recovery after a mental stress task in the laboratory.

Brindle and Conklin conclude: "Our findings suggest that daytime sleep may offer cardiovascular benefit by accelerating cardiovascular recovery following mental stressors. Further research is needed to explore the mechanism by which daytime sleep is linked with cardiovascular health and to evaluate daytime sleep as a recuperative and protective practice, especially for individuals with known cardiovascular disease risk and those with suboptimal sleep quality."

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