Scientists find link between sleep disorders and increased risk of hypertension

A study of more than two million nights of sleep and blood pressure data found that disturbances in sleep timing and duration were associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension, News Medical Life Sciences reported.

Researchers analyzed data collected over nine months from 12,300 participants between the ages of 18 and 90. Metrics were recorded using a sleep device and a portable blood pressure monitor. Sleep regularity was measured as the standard deviation of total sleep time as determined by the device.

Sleep time regularity was assessed as the standard deviation of sleep onset time and mean sleep point. Potential associations between sleep regularity and hypertension were found in 2,499 participants.

Results showed that high irregularity of sleep duration was associated with a 9% to 15% increase in risk of hypertension. In addition, a 38-minute increase in mean sleep point irregularity was associated with an 11% increased risk, and a 31-minute increase in sleep onset irregularity was associated with a 29% increased risk of hypertension.

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