Can Lack of Sleep Cause High Blood Pressure?

Why a Lack of Sleep Affects Blood Pressure

Healthy individuals experience a natural dip in blood pressure while they sleep Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source . As a result, the heart usually doesn’t have to work as hard during sleep as it does during the day. However, this beneficial drop in blood pressure may not occur—or may not occur for long enough—in people who sleep less than six hours a night or who have fragmented, low-quality sleep Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

People with insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by problems falling asleep or staying asleep, have an increased likelihood of developing high blood pressure Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . Not only do people with insomnia frequently get less sleep than they need, but they also tend to experience elevated sympathetic nervous system activity Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Instead of winding down, their bodies prepare to act, as if facing a threat. This state triggers an increase in blood pressure.

Hypertension isn’t the only risk faced by people who are sleep deprived. Over time, sleep loss can contribute to:

• Increased vulnerability to sickness and infection
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Strained relationships
• Accidents at work, on the road, or at home

Conversely, Does High Blood Pressure Affect Sleep?

The relationship between poor sleep and high blood pressure is bidirectional. So, in addition to being an outcome of poor sleep, hypertension may also contribute to sleep problems Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Studies indicate that adults with high blood pressure may be up to three times more likely to develop insomnia than individuals whose blood pressure falls within the normal range.

Some experts hypothesize that people with hypertension may experience disturbances in the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which could alter their circadian rhythms and make it harder to sleep.

Additionally, high blood pressure may be connected to health conditions, behaviors, or other factors that can also lead to sleep problems, including:

• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Low levels of physical activity Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source

Is Sleep Apnea to Blame for Poor Sleep?

High blood pressure is especially common in people who have untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder that causes momentary pauses in breathing during sleep. About half of all people with OSA also have hypertension. In some individuals, both hypertension and OSA may be complications of obesity, but for many, OSA actually causes high blood pressure Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . The more severe a person’s OSA is, the more likely they are to develop hypertension.

Evidence suggests that the majority of people with untreated OSA don’t experience the typical nighttime dip in blood pressure Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This irregularity might be attributable, at least in part, to the sleep disruptions caused by breathing events. Many people with OSA also experience an early morning rise in blood pressure. Studies indicate that this is the body’s response to low oxygen levels caused by pauses in breathing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

The good news is that the standard treatment for OSA—positive airway pressure therapy—not only reduces the severity and frequency of breathing events but also lowers blood pressure for many people. Even small reductions in blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular events, so it’s important for individuals with OSA to seek treatment and adhere to the therapies prescribed by their doctors.

“If you have a combination of hypertension and trouble sleeping – especially if you snore or have gasping episodes – then you may want to speak to your doctor about sleep apnea.”

Dr. Dustin Cotliar

Sleep Medicine Physician, MD

What You Can Do to Prevent High Blood Pressure

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your risk for high blood pressure, many of which are also healthy sleep habits.

• Prioritize sleep: Setting aside at least seven hours every night for sleep supports a nighttime dip in blood pressure and limits your chances of developing hypertension. Budgeting enough time for sleep can also help you avoid the effects of sleep deprivation.
• Eat a healthy diet: Avoid processed and salty foods, which can increase your blood pressure Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source . Instead, eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . Foods that are high in potassium—such as bananas, yogurt, and beans—can help you avoid nutrient deficiencies that lead to hypertension.
• Exercise regularly: Being physically active supports the health of your cardiovascular system and can lower your blood pressure. Try engaging in aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, bicycling, or dancing a few times a week.
• Manage stress: Taking steps to manage stress—such as meditating or practicing progressive muscle relaxation—may help you lower your blood pressure. Because stress can keep you up at night and aggravate insomnia, these techniques may also help you sleep better.
• Limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can lead to hypertension. Experts recommend that women limit themselves to one drink a day, and men, no more than two. Because alcohol can interfere with sleep, try to avoid it in the hours before bedtime.
• Avoid tobacco: Smoking cigarettes can harm your blood vessels, and the nicotine in tobacco products can cause high blood pressure. Smoking and vaping can also negatively impact sleep.

Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and sleep apnea can also contribute to high blood pressure—so it’s important to work with your doctor to manage such conditions. Additionally, hypertension sometimes occurs even when a person makes lifestyle modifications. If this happens to you, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure.