Scientists at the Columbia University conducted an experiment involving more than 2,000 adults with an average age of 73 years, whose heath conditions were monitored for two years.
Data gathered revealed that of the 2,153 patients, those who said they took occasional naps, or "some dozing", were 2.6 times more at risk of suffering from a stroke, compared to those who fell under the "no dozing" category.
A significant risk increase was seen in those who were "significant" nappers, according to The Press Association, as scientists discovered that they were 4.5 times more at risk of having a stroke compared to those who did not take naps.
Results also showed that the findings were consistent, regardless of the subject's race, gender, or ethnicity.
Analyzing the findings, lead researcher Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala concluded that daytime naps are an "important and novel" factor that could increase stroke risk.
HealthDay News reported that the scientists' studies were commended by other experts acknowledging the blurry significance of daytime naps to strokes for the elderly.
"These authors report a potentially important association between daytime dozing, which should correlate with excessive daytime drowsiness," said Dr. Steven V. Pacia of New York's Lenox Hill Hospital. "It is not clear why this is a marker of stroke."
Pacia added, however that the study called for further analysis.
"The study controlled for obesity, which is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea and drowsiness," he said, "but it would be important to study the entire group to determine if sleep apnea was present in the dozing patients."
The results of the study will be presented Thursday, at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, to be held Thursday in New Orleans.
