The research, led by Shahab Haghayegh, Ph.D., a research fellow at the Brigham and Harvard Medical School, underscores a potential risk factor for hypertension in individuals grappling with insomnia. As hypertension poses risks for various physical and mental health complications, the study advocates for preemptive screening to identify those at risk.
In the United States, both hypertension and sleep disorders are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 35% of adults don’t get sufficient sleep, while the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that 30% experience symptoms of insomnia. Alarmingly, 45% of U.S. adults live with high blood pressure, making the need for understanding the link between sleep and hypertension more urgent than ever.
Sleeping DIfficulties Associated with Risk of Hypertension
To explore this connection, researchers followed 66,122 participants aged 25 to 42 in the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS2) cohort, spanning from 2001 to 2017. None of the participants had hypertension at the study’s initiation. Over 16 years, researchers collected comprehensive data on participants’ age, race, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle, and sleep-related behaviors, among other factors.
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Analysis of the data revealed compelling associations between sleeping difficulties and the risk of hypertension. Women experiencing sleep difficulties exhibited higher BMIs, lower physical activity levels, and poorer diets. The study also highlighted correlations between sleep struggles and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and menopause.
Women With Less Than 7-8 Hours Sleep Had an Increased Risk of Hypertension
Among the noteworthy findings was the revelation that women sleeping less than seven to eight hours a night faced a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension. Those who struggled with falling and staying asleep also exhibited an increased likelihood of hypertension. Interestingly, waking up early in the morning did not show the same association with heightened hypertension risk.
Can Sleep Medications Help to Treat High Blood Pressure?
While the exact nature of the relationship between sleep and hypertension remains unclear, Haghayegh suggests potential mechanisms involving sodium retention, arterial stiffness, cardiac output, and disruptions to the sleep/wake cycle. Future clinical studies will explore whether sleep medications could positively impact blood pressure.
It’s crucial to note that these findings do not imply causality. Haghayegh aims to unravel the intricacies of this association and investigate whether treating one condition could influence the other positively. With further clinical studies, the research team aims to explore the potential benefits of sleep medications on blood pressure regulation.
Does the Insomnia-Hypertension Link Exist in Men Too?
As the study focused solely on the association between sleep and hypertension in women, there is an eagerness to expand research to include men and non-binary participants. Despite this limitation, the study’s strengths include its extensive participant pool and the lengthy follow-up duration.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking research underscores the paramount importance of quality sleep for overall well-being, particularly in the context of hypertension. As the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends seven or more hours of sleep a night, individuals struggling with sleep difficulties are encouraged to explore potential solutions. The study serves as a compelling reminder that a good night’s sleep is not just a luxury but a fundamental aspect of maintaining optimal health.
References:
- Sleeping Difficulties, Sleep Duration, and Risk of Hypertension in Women
https:www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21350?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
Source: Medindia
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