A new study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session has found an association between getting less than seven hours of sleep and developing high blood pressure. Led by Kaveh Hosseini, MD, the study pooled data from 16 different studies conducted between January 2000 and May 2023, involving over 1 million people from six countries with no prior history of hypertension.
Individuals who reported sleeping less than seven hours a night had a 7% higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure, with the likelihood increasing to 11% for those getting less than five hours of sleep. Interestingly, females who reported fewer than seven hours of sleep had a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure compared to males with similar sleep patterns.
It is important to note that this study can only show associations and not causation. Other factors such as stress, BMI, diabetes, and smoking history were taken into account, but details about individual stress levels were not available. Additionally, self-reported sleep levels may not be entirely accurate.
Previous research has also shown a link between inadequate sleep and high blood pressure, prompting the American Heart Association to recommend adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. It is crucial to prioritize sleep as high blood pressure can lead to various health issues such as heart disease and stroke.
Individuals may want to assess their sleep habits and make adjustments to ensure they are getting enough rest. Factors such as bedroom environment, screen time before bed, and daily schedules may impact sleep quality. While the study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for overall health, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep and blood pressure.