LAUSR

Background: To date, many studies have proved the association between siesta and cardiovascular events. As the baPWV can assess the degree of atherosclerosis and the arterial stiffness, little is known about the association between siesta and baPWV levels. Thus we used a cross-sectional study to examine the association between siesta and baPWV levels. Methods: The baseline examination of 6,566 participants aged > 35 years included interviews, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and electron beam computed tomography. We compared the baseline data in 3 categories of siesta habits: irregular or no siestas; daily short siestas (1 hour or less); and daily long siestas (> 1 hour). Logistic regression models and multiple linear regression were applied to find the association between siesta and baPWV. Results: Among all participants, the different siesta groups have a significant difference of the prevalence of several AS degrees (P < 0.001). We also found a similar result in male or female (male P < 0.001, female P < 0.001). Daily long siestas had positive associations with prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Results from model3 (fully adjusted model) showed that long siesta (> 60 min, OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.06–1.31, P = 0.002) was associated with more severe level of the baPWV. For age or gender stratification, we found significant differences between non-siesta and > 60 min siesta groups from model3. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive relationship be¬tween siesta duration and baPWV (b; = 0.197, P = 0.038). Conclusions: Long siesta was associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. These findings warrant further examination with prospective studies and laboratory investigations.