Most people are aware that certain factors such as lack of exercise, obesity, an unhealthy diet, stress and increased alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure. But a risk factor for high blood pressure is often underestimated.
Disturbed sleep can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). But this risk factor is often underestimated. The German Hockdruckliga points this out in a statement.
Sleep disorders: risk factor for cardiovascular diseases
Sleep disorders are stressful and reduce well-being and performance and are a relevant risk factor for the development of high blood pressure.
Therefore, a few months ago, sleep disorders were included as a new risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the hypertension guidelines of the European Society for Hypertension.
According to two studies published in 2011 and 2007, people with disturbed sleep have a 1.5 to 3 times higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
“10% of the population in Central Europe suffers from problems falling asleep and staying asleep,” says internist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, somnologist and intensive care physician Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Sanner, Medical Director and Chief Physician of the Medical Clinic of the Agaplesion Bethesda Hospital Wuppertal and spokesman for the Hypertension Diagnostics Section of the Hypertension League.
“Therefore, the risk of developing high blood pressure affects a not insignificant number of people.” Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure measurement can provide reliable information about whether the sleep disorders have an organic cause or whether the blood pressure is already pathologically elevated and give sleep diagnostics.
“That's why regular blood pressure measurements, even at home, are advisable for anyone who struggles with sleep disorders. If blood pressure is elevated, doctors can then make a reliable diagnosis,” says Prof. Sanner.
Vital sleep
The body regenerates itself while sleeping. Growth hormones are released, energy stores are replenished, the immune system produces antibodies and the brain processes and stores information. As a result of these activities, the heart rate and blood pressure decrease at night.
“Disturbed sleep prevents this important reduction, known as dipping. If so-called non-dipping occurs, the rate of future heart and circulatory problems is already increased. Over time, daytime high blood pressure can also develop,” explains Prof. Sanner.
Factors that can negatively influence sleep include psychological and emotional stress, snoring, sleep apnea, periodic leg movements at night, so-called “exogenous” factors such as noise and excessively high ambient temperatures or brightness during sleep, or even social factors, such as yourself chosen lack of sleep.
Sleep-related breathing disorders cause blood pressure to rise
Hypertension and sleep-disordered breathing are mutually dependent. Half of all people with sleep apnea also suffer from high blood pressure and, conversely, 30 to 40 percent of all people with high blood pressure are affected by sleep apnea.
If therapy-resistant hypertension is present, i.e. H. If high blood pressure cannot be controlled even with medication, sleep apnea is particularly often present at the same time.
In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the throat muscles relax during sleep, the tongue and soft palate relax, fall backwards and block the upper airways and thus the oxygen supply. Breathing then starts again with snoring and an associated unconscious wake-up reaction.
“In sleep apnea, the constant collapse of the soft palate when inhaling leads to pauses in breathing and thus to constant stress during the night,” says High Pressure League section member PD Dr. Jan Börgel, internist, cardiologist, intensive care physician and chief physician of the Clinic for Internal Medicine I at the academic teaching hospital St. Barbara Clinic in Hamm.
“This initially leads to a permanent increase in blood pressure at night, but also during the day.”
High blood pressure due to too little sleep
With insomnia, those affected lie awake at least three times a week and cannot sleep. The resulting lack of sleep not only affects well-being and leads to irritability, lack of concentration and memory problems, but also significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure.
A study showed that sleeping less than five hours results in a 50 percent increased risk of hypertension.
“As a general rule, you should not sleep less than seven hours for healthy blood pressure, regardless of whether the short sleep duration is caused by sleep disorders or is a result of your lifestyle. Only very few are real “short sleepers” who can get by with less sleep without being harmed or having their performance impaired,” recommends Prof. Sanner.
Improve sleep
In most cases, it is possible to learn how to sleep better, but sometimes aids are required.
Consistent sleep hygiene with early bedtime, relaxation measures (breathing, meditation exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga), avoiding screen activity and refraining from drinking alcohol before falling asleep helps against stress and other emotional factors.
Appropriate apps and professionally developed mindfulness programs such as the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) also have good effects.
Physical causes must first be clarified by a doctor through screening examinations at home or in a sleep laboratory. Obesity is often a contributing factor to sleep apnea.
Dangerous pauses in breathing occur, especially when lying on your back. Losing weight and changing your sleeping position often help.
In severe cases, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask is used for treatment. The nasal mask is worn during sleep and prevents breathing pauses through continuous positive pressure breathing. This calms the circulation and restores the lowering of blood pressure.
The experts unanimously advise against sleeping pills: “Because of their addictive potential, sleeping pills should only be the very last choice if you are diagnosed with insomnia,” says Dr. Börgel. (ad)