Blood pressure: is that at night the most important?

increases during the night, while they sleep, they have a greater risk of incurring heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases. This is what emerged from a new study conducted in Japan by a team of researchers coordinated by Kazuomi Kario, of Jichi Medical University in Tochigi.

nocturnal and not only affects those who already normally suffer from high blood pressure, but can also occur in subjects who during the day have levels that fall within the standard parameters.

The study in detail

The Japanese study involved over 6,000 patients and showed that the "supine position, which in turn increases venous return, increases the risk during sleep." heart wall, increasing both pre-load and after-load» Kazuomi Kario pointed out.

The people examined were subjected to constant monitoring, throughout the 24 hours, by means of wearable recording devices. None of them had symptoms of previous cardiovascular disease, just a risk factor, and most were taking medications to control their blood pressure.

Despite the absence of overt pathologies, after a follow-up lasting an average of 2 to 7 years, 306 cardiovascular events were recorded, of which 119 strokes, 99 episodes of coronary heart disease and 88 cases of heart failure.

In particular, patients who experienced a 20mmHg (mercury) increase in systolic blood pressure at night compared to daytime measurements were more likely to experience this type of disease and heart failure.

Too low blood pressure can also be a problem

On the contrary, an increased risk of stroke was recorded in participants who took drugs to control blood pressure and at night tended to be subject to an excessive lowering of the values, as shown by another previous study, also by Kazuomi Kario. .

in excess by the kidneys, particularly in people with high sensitivity to salt intake.

This usually occurs during the day and is sufficient to expel the excess sodium. «However, in subjects with a greater quantity of salt in circulation, due to its conspicuous intake or to a particular sensitivity, blood pressure must increase not only during the day, but also at night to complete the process. This mechanism is naturally implemented by our body and is useful for that specific function but at the same time very harmful to the heart ».

or alcohol throughout the day

Napping during the day

Going to sleep at different times

Consuming sugars excessively

Exercising too late in the evening

Excessive exposure to blue light from digital devices

Having nightmares

Having discussions that involve emotional shocks

One of the most significant triggers for nocturnal hypertension is poor sleep quality, so to lower the risk of an acute nocturnal peak it is good to keep a sleep rhythm as stable as possible. Bad habits that can affect the quality of sleep. rest just listed should therefore be eliminated.

Medical conditions that can trigger a spike in nighttime blood pressure are diabetes, thyroid, and kidney problems.