Insomnia puts blood pressure patients at risk

People with high blood pressure that experience problems sleeping could be at risk of resistant hypertension.

Research presented at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions revealed that insomnia can have serious consequences if present in those with blood pressure complications.

The discovery was made when scientists studied the sleeping patterns of 234 people with high blood pressure.

It was observed that most participants slept six hours or fewer, and those that reported bad sleep where twice as likely to have resistant hypertension.

Resistant blood pressure is dangerous, as it increases a patient's risk of cardiac complications.

Individuals are classed as having resistant hypertension if they are taking three or more forms of blood pressure medication, but are unable to lower their hypertension levels to below 140/90 mmHg.

During the study, it was also identified that women were more likely to report lower quality sleep than men. However, further investigation is needed to understand the reasons behind this.

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