The amount of sleep that an adult requires to remain healthy is seven to nine hours. High blood pressure has been linked to poor sleep and can result in damage to the circulatory system. That in turn, leads to cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is difficult to detect without medical tests. However it can lead to heart attacks and strokes if left untreated. Therefore, those who suffer from poor or insufficient sleep should make efforts to increase the quality and duration of their sleep.

Stress hormones

Doctors know that those who sleep less than five hours a night are at an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Having so little sleep is a common complaint of individuals who suffer from insomnia. More research into the correlation between poor sleep and high blood pressure is required. Hopefully then we can determine the exact cause of this medical phenomenon. However, heightened levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is one of the symptoms of sleep deprivation. Additionally cortisol is known to increase blood pressure. It is likely, however, that there are other factors that cause hypertension in individuals who do not get enough sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, a type of nocturnal breathing disorder caused by obstruction of the airways, has been linked to hypertension. Studies have found that those who live with the condition are twice as likely to suffer from heart attacks than the general population. Breathing difficulties during sleep, caused by soft tissues blocking the air passages, can result in a lack of oxygen. Unfortunately this may cause adrenaline levels to rise. High adrenaline, or ephedrine, levels will result in an increased heart rate and a rise in blood pressure. Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP), administered via a breathing mask, is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

How to improve the quality of sleep

Improving sleep quality, alongside other positive lifestyle choices, allows individuals to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Circadian rhythms, also known as the body clock, regulate sleeping patterns. Therefore reprogramming the internal clock will improve sleep quality and duration. I recommend going to bed at the same time every evening, as well as waking up at the same time every morning, is an effective means of resetting the body clock. Bright screens simulate sunlight, similarly to fluorescent lamps, and may disturb the circadian rhythms. I find turning screens off at night or changing the screen settings to night mode can help.

Visit the doctor

Those who suffer from sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, should talk to a doctor. Doing so should help find an effective method of falling asleep and waking up at a healthy time. People who have sleepless nights can be because of physical, emotional, or physiological factors. Therefore it is important to talk to a professional. They can determine the underlying cause of the problem. A doctor, aware of the correlation between poor sleep and hypertension, will also be able to check whether blood pressure levels are healthy. Then they can prescribe medications for hypertension if necessary. Doctors recommend lifestyle changes for treating sleeping disorders. But Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and medication may also be prescribed by a doctor.

Medications that improve the quality of sleep

A variety of medications are available to those who suffer from sleeping disorders. But most will require a doctors prescription. Medicinal solutions to sleeping problems will only be suggested once non-pharmacological options have been exhausted. These are usually from issues that cannot be remedied by changes in everyday behavior. Doctors concerned about the risk of hypertension and other health conditions that stem from sleep deprivation, may prescribe a medication that helps the patient to fall asleep. Or medication which enables the patient to remain asleep if they are prone to waking up during the night.