Study Says Loss Of Sleep Can Increase Risk Of Blood Pressure In Women
In today's fast-paced world, quality sleep often takes a backseat to the demands of our daily lives. However, a recent study titled "Sleeping Difficulties, Sleep Duration, and Risk of Hypertension in Women" conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital sheds light on a critical aspect of our well-being. This research suggests that women who struggle with insomnia symptoms may face an increased risk of developing hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. The findings of this study, published in the journal Hypertension, underscore the importance of a good night's sleep in maintaining overall health.
Dr. Shahab Haghayegh, a research fellow at the Brigham and Harvard Medical School, explains the significance of these findings, stating, "These findings suggest that individuals who struggle with symptoms of insomnia may be at risk of hypertension and could benefit from preemptive screening. Hypertension is associated with many other physical and mental health complications. The sooner we can identify individuals with high blood pressure and treat them for it, the better we can mitigate future health issues."
Both hypertension and sleep disorders are on the rise among adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 35 per cent of U.S. adults do not get adequate sleep at night. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that 30 per cent of Americans experience symptoms of insomnia, while a staggering 45 per cent of U.S. adults live with high blood pressure.
The study, led by Haghayegh and his colleagues, tracked 66,122 participants aged 25 to 42 in the Nurses' Health Study II (NHS2) cohort, all of whom did not have hypertension at the study's outset. This extensive research spanned sixteen years, from 2001 to 2017, collecting data on various factors, including age, race, body mass index (BMI), diet, lifestyle, physical activity, sleep apnea history, and family history of hypertension. Sleep duration was first measured in 2001, followed by a subsequent assessment in 2009, recording the average number of hours slept over a 24-hour period. Additionally, the researchers tracked sleeping difficulties, such as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early in the morning, at multiple time points throughout the study.
The analysis of the data revealed several key findings. Women experiencing sleeping difficulties tended to have higher BMIs, lower physical activity levels, and less healthy diets on average. These individuals were also more likely to smoke and consume alcohol and had previously gone through menopause.
Among the 25,987 cases of hypertension documented during the follow-up period, the study found that women who slept less than seven to eight hours a night had a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension. Similarly, women who experienced difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep were also more prone to hypertension. Surprisingly, waking up early in the morning did not exhibit the same association. Notably, these correlations remained significant even after adjusting for variables such as shift work schedules (night vs. day shifts) and chronotype (morningness vs. eveningness).
While the precise nature of the relationship between sleep and hypertension remains unclear, Dr. Haghayegh suggests that sleep difficulties can set off a chain of events leading to increased sodium retention, arterial stiffness, and cardiac output, potentially resulting in hypertension. Disturbances in the sleep/wake cycle may also influence blood vessel constriction/relaxation activity and the function of cells regulating vascular tone.
It is essential to note that this study focused exclusively on the relationship between sleep and hypertension in women. Researchers plan to expand their investigations to include men and non-binary participants in the future. One limitation of the study was the inability to collect data on sleep quality continuously throughout the research period. Nevertheless, the study's strengths include its extensive participant pool and the lengthy follow-up duration.
Dr. Haghayegh emphasizes that these findings do not establish causality but rather highlight the existence of a significant association. The next step involves understanding why this connection exists and whether treating one condition can positively impact the other. Future clinical studies will explore the potential benefits of sleep medications in managing blood pressure. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night, and individuals experiencing sleep difficulties should consider seeking assistance to improve their sleep patterns.
