Study: Poor sleep could make high blood pressure harder to treat

What do we know already?

In this study, researchers looked at whether poor sleep might be partially to blame. Previous studies have shown that people who have poor-quality sleep are more likely to get high blood pressure. Could poor sleep also play a role in making some people’s blood pressure harder to treat?About 1 in 3 adults in the UK has high blood pressure, which increases their risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems. Most people can lower their blood pressure by making lifestyle changes - such as exercising more and eating less salt - and taking medications. But some people’s blood pressure remains high despite treatment.

To explore this, the researchers looked at 234 people with high blood pressure who were being treated at a clinic in Pisa, Italy. Some of the participants (around 15 in every 100) still had high blood pressure despite taking multiple drugs. Doctors call this treatment-resistant high blood pressure. Everyone in the study filled in a detailed questionnaire about their sleep habits and sleep quality. The researchers also looked at the participants’ health and other factors that might affect their sleep quality and blood pressure.

What does the new study say?

Poor sleep was more common in people with treatment-resistant high blood pressure than in those with blood pressure that improved with treatment.

After factoring in people’s ages, use of sleeping tablets, and several other things that might have affected the study’s findings, the researchers estimated that people with poor-quality sleep were twice as likely to have treatment-resistant high blood pressure.

However, the link between the two weakened when the researchers factored in whether people had signs of depression. Depression may affect both sleep quality and blood pressure. We need more studies to explore this.

How reliable is the research?

This study can’t show cause and effect, so it can’t prove that poor sleep increased people’s risk of having treatment-resistant high blood pressure. It can show only that there may be a link.

Also, this study hasn’t been published in a medical journal, but was presented at a medical conference. That means we haven’t been able to look in detail at its methods and results.

What does this mean for me?

It’s too soon to say whether poor-quality sleep plays a role in treatment-resistant high blood pressure. However, we do know that a good night’s sleep is important in other ways. Besides helping you to be more alert and focused throughout the day, studies suggest good sleep may also be important in preventing disease, avoiding weight gain, and staying healthy long term. If you’re having difficulty sleeping or don’t feel rested when you wake, speak with your doctor.

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