Lack of Sleep May Raise Blood Pressure

The less you sleep, the higher your blood pressure may go. People who sleep 6 hours or less may have steeper increases in blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, not having sleep hygiene may make your blood pressure worse.

Worldwide, more than 7 million deaths occur each year due to high blood pressure. Research indicates that lack of adequate sleep could be contributing to this widespread health problem.

Another study found that for each lost hour of sleep, the risk of developing high blood pressure increased by 37%. Most people who slept at least 7 hours had the best health. In another study, people who slept 5 hours daily were 60% more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to people who slept 7-8 hours a night.

If you want to keep your blood pressure in the healthy range (less than 120/80), aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily. Taking a midday nap can also be helpful in reaching your 7-8 hours.

Can't Catch Your Zzzzzz?? You Should:

Stick to a sleep schedule

Set a sleep schedule and stick to it.

Exercise daily

Since late evening exercise can keep you awake, exercise in the morning or early afternoon.

Avoid caffeine

Avoid caffeinated drinks and foods that contain caffeine, such as chocolate.

Avoid alcohol

It can disrupt sleep patterns and delay the onset of sleep.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight increases the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders.

Have a light dinner

Eating too much before you go to bed can lead to heartburn and poor digestion and disrupt sleep.

Reserve the last few hours of your day for calm activities

Avoid playing competitive games (even chess or cards), watching exciting programs on television, and reading suspenseful books.

Assess your life

Are you stressed? Could you be depressed? If so, consider consulting with a health professional.

Wrapping it up

If you can't get to sleep within 20 minutes, get up. Stay in dark or dimly lit rooms and do something repetitive or boring until you feel sleepy. Some people consider middle-of-the-night insomnia a perfect opportunity for reading the owner's manual for any household electrical appliance.

Source: National Institutes of Health. 2009