One in three Singaporeans between the ages of 18 and 74 suffer from persistent high blood pressure, according to the National Population Health Survey 2020. High blood pressure is an increasing threat for many people nowadays, but it's manageable. If you have high blood pressure, sleep quality is of utmost importance to managing it effectively. But did you know how well your sleep health may play into how well it does so?
Doctors are increasingly recognising the link between high blood pressure and sleep adequacy and its prevalence. Even one or two nights of poor restful sleep can result in an increase in blood pressure.
Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day and during different stages of sleep. According to studies, short sleep duration or poor sleep quality are linked to high blood pressure. It is possibly disrupting circadian rhythms and homeostatic processes that have an impactful influence on this aspect of your system.
High blood pressure and insufficient sleep are closely linked - further emphasizing the significance of getting sufficient sleep. Heart rate and blood pressure spike due to the body's "fight or flight" response to acute stress, which makes sleep less restful than before. Whatever the case may be, now is the time to return to a regular sleeping schedule and be more conscious of your sleeping habits in order to lower heart-related risks.
Making changes to your lifestyle such as staying at a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and cutting back on salt intake may all help lower risk factors for high blood pressure. If it persists despite these efforts, speak to your doctor about medication that helps. Sleep can help prevent or treat high blood pressure, so be sure to allocate enough time for quality sleep. In order to achieve this goal, try cutting back on caffeine and stimulants, such as nicotine or caffeine-containing drinks, and consider taking supplements that can regulate your natural sleep cycle. Also, remember to frequently monitor your blood pressure at home. More on healthy sleep habits here.
Speak to your doctor about incorporating the tips mentioned above into your daily routine in order to improve both sleep and blood pressure management. If you have sleep apnea or other sleep disorder conditions, get in touch with The Air Station for a sleep study and sleep apnea treatment.
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