Sleep and High Blood Pressure

About High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure affects nearly 75 million people in the U.S.
• Poor sleep can lead to higher risk of disease, including high blood pressure
• High blood pressure is a risk factor for serious health problems including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure

High blood pressure, also referred to as HBP or hypertension, is a disease in which the pressure of the blood in the arteries is too high. This is caused when your heart has to work harder to pump blood through tight or constricted arteries. This increased force can damage blood vessels and organs.

About Sleep and High Blood Pressure

• About 40% of people with high blood pressure also have obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder caused by a frequent closing of the air passages. People with sleep apnea awaken briefly many times while sleeping to restart their breathing.
• The changes in breathing caused by obstructive sleep apnea affect oxygen levels, blood pressure
  and heart rate, leading to a higher risk of developing hypertension and making blood pressure more difficult to control.
• Better sleep can help to lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of developing serious health problems.