Sleep Troubles Linked to Hypertension in Women, Study Finds

Researchers have discovered a compelling connection between insomnia symptoms and the likelihood of developing hypertension in women. Over a span of sixteen years and with a robust participant pool of more than 66,000 individuals, this study reveals that women grappling with sleep difficulties face an increased risk of high blood pressure.

Conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, this study sheds light on the critical role of restful sleep in maintaining good health in today’s fast-paced world.

The findings underscore that women struggling to obtain adequate sleep are more susceptible to hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. These results have been published in the prestigious journal Hypertension.

Dr. Shahab Haghayegh, a research fellow at the Brigham and Harvard Medical School, elucidates, “These findings suggest that individuals grappling with insomnia symptoms may be at risk of hypertension and could benefit from proactive screening. Hypertension is associated with various other physical and mental health complications. Identifying individuals with high blood pressure early on and providing appropriate treatment can significantly mitigate future health issues.”

Both hypertension and sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent among adults in the United States. Alarming statistics reveal that more than 35% of American adults do not receive sufficient nightly rest, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicates that 30% of Americans experience symptoms of insomnia, while a striking 45% live with high blood pressure.

This study tracked 66,122 participants aged between 25 and 42 years in the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS2) cohort. These participants did not have hypertension at the beginning of the study, which spanned from 2001 to 2017, covering a substantial sixteen-year period.

Researchers collected detailed information on participants, including age, race, body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, lifestyle, physical activity, history of sleep apnea, and family history of hypertension. They assessed the incidence of hypertension every two years.

The study began measuring sleep duration in 2001 and again in 2009, calculating the average hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Additionally, researchers monitored sleep-related difficulties, such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or early morning awakenings, at various points during the study.

Data analysis revealed that women facing sleep difficulties had higher BMIs, engaged in less physical activity, and maintained poorer diets on average. Furthermore, those experiencing sleep troubles were more likely to smoke, consume alcohol, and have undergone menopause.

Among the 25,987 cases of hypertension documented during the follow-up, women sleeping less than seven to eight hours per night faced a significantly heightened risk of developing hypertension. Similarly, those experiencing difficulty falling and staying asleep were also at an increased risk. Interestingly, waking up early in the morning was not associated with an elevated risk of hypertension. Importantly, these associations remained statistically significant after accounting for participants’ shift work schedules and chronotype (morningness or eveningness).

While the exact nature of the relationship between sleep and hypertension remains elusive, Dr. Haghayegh suggests that sleep difficulties can trigger a cascade of events leading to sodium retention, arterial stiffness, increased cardiac output, and ultimately, hypertension. Disruptions to the sleep-wake cycle can also influence blood vessel constriction and relaxation, affecting the function of cells that regulate vascular tone.

It’s worth noting that this study focused exclusively on the relationship between sleep and hypertension in women. Future research aims to broaden the scope to include men and non-binary individuals. However, it’s essential to emphasize that these findings do not imply causation. Researchers are committed to delving deeper into understanding why this association exists and whether sleep medications could have a positive impact on blood pressure.

In conclusion, Dr. Haghayegh emphasizes the pivotal role of quality sleep in overall well-being. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends seven or more hours of sleep per night, and individuals experiencing sleep troubles are encouraged to explore the underlying causes. This study serves as a stark reminder of the significance of a good night’s sleep in maintaining optimal health.

Reference: “Sleeping Difficulties, Sleep Duration, and Risk of Hypertension in Women” by Shahab Haghayegh, Susanne Strohmaier, Rikuta Hamaya, A. Heather Eliassen, Walter C. Willet, Eric B. Rimm, and Eva Schernhammer, 18 September 2023, Hypertension. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21350.

This study received support from the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers UM1CA186107, U01 CA176726, P01CA87969, U01 HL145386, P30 ES000002, R01 CA163451, and R01 HD101101) and the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement numbers 101053225).

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• Hypertension Journal Article: Link to the full research article titled “Sleeping Difficulties, Sleep Duration, and Risk of Hypertension in Women,” published in the journal Hypertension.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The official website of the CDC, providing information on sleep statistics and public health recommendations.

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine: The official website of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, offering insights into sleep disorders and recommendations for healthy sleep patterns.