Insomnia could up blood pressure, Foundation research finds

People who have difficulty sleeping at night may have a greater risk of high blood pressure and associated heart disease than people who get a good night’s rest, Foundation researcher Paola Lanfranchi has found.

Her study, published in the journal Sleep, measured the 24-hour blood pressure of patients who were either considered sound sleepers or insomniacs. People with insomnia were defined as having difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep or waking early, resulting in trouble functioning during the daytime. The patients had to have less than 6.5 hours of sleep a night with at least 30 minutes delay before falling asleep (or waking at that time) – and the symptoms had to be present for more than three nights per week for longer than six months.

The patients were all considered healthy and free of heart disease and high blood pressure before the study began. While monitoring the blood pressure of both sets of patients overnight, the researchers found that the normal reduction in blood pressure that happens during sleep was only 8% in insomniacs compared to a much healthier 15% in the sound sleepers. “In other studies, sleeping less than six hours is associated with daytime high blood pressure,” Dr. Lanfranchi says. “Our study showed that blood pressure is affected even in people who do not have hypertension.”

It would also be important to look at how sleep affects blood pressure in other groups as well, she adds. “It will be certainly important to assess the impact of insomnia in various categories of patients including those with hypertension and overt heart disease.”

If your sleep problem is ongoing, it would be a good idea to get help."Over many years, chronic insomnia might have negative effects on the hearts of otherwise healthy individuals,” says Dr. Lanfranchi. “If insomnia persists overtime, consult your doctor and eventually a sleep specialist.”

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Posted: Sept 28, 2009

Source: Lanfranchi PA, Pennestri M, Fradette L, et al. Nighttime Blood Pressure in Normotensive Subjects With Chronic Insomnia: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk. Sleep. 32(2009)

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for reference and education only. This Web article is not intended to be a substitute for a physician’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents do not necessarily represent the Foundation’s opinion or policies and the Heart and Stroke Foundation assumes no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracy or omission of information or from the use of any information or advice in this article.