Posted on 06/16/2019 5:59:23 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A bad night's sleep may result in a spike in blood pressure that night and the following day, according to new research led by the University of Arizona.
The study offers one possible explanation for why sleep problems have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and even death from cardiovascular disease.
Overall, those who had lower sleep efficiency showed an increase in blood pressure during that restless night. They also had higher systolic blood pressure—the top number in a patient's blood pressure reading—the next day.
"Blood pressure is one of the best predictors of cardiovascular health," said lead study author Caroline Doyle, a graduate student in the UA Department of Psychology. "There is a lot of literature out there that shows sleep has some kind of impact on mortality and on cardiovascular disease, which is the No. 1 killer of people in the country. We wanted to see if we could try to get a piece of that story—how sleep might be impacting disease through blood pressure."
The study reinforces just how important a good night's sleep can be. It's not just the amount of time you spend in bed, but the quality of sleep you're getting, said study co-author John Ruiz, UA associate professor of psychology.
Improving sleep quality can start with making simple changes and being proactive, Ruiz said.
"Keep the phone in a different room," he suggested. "If your bedroom window faces the east, pull the shades. For anything that's going to cause you to waken, think ahead about what you can do to mitigate those effects."
For those with chronic sleep troubles, Doyle advocates cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBTI, which focuses on making behavioral changes to improve sleep health.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
My kidney function is normal. Without the diuretic, my BP goes up.
My health is too important to start experimenting with natural cures of my genetic heart issues. I think I'll rely on my doctor for advice instead of some stranger's biblical admonitions thank you.
I’m 63 not heavy and had some issues with high BP. When I started taking magnesium and vitamin D supplements the BP reduced and so did my meds dosage but if I skip a day or two the high BP returns. Gotta stay on the low dose BP meds but I prefer not to however not gonna mess around.
My whole family has a history of high blood pressure. Both of my parents had it and both died of congestive heart failure. Hopefully my heart overhaul will give me a few more years beyond the age my dad died.
I take 4 heart-related meds everyday. Two for high blood pressure. One to maintain a regular heart rate. And a diuretic to slough off water to help lower the high BP.
They all have side effects but nothing debilitating. I live a normal life on my farm raising cattle with few health-related problems.
Backpackers know that one of the reasons for insomnia is dehydration. Basically, your kidneys wake you up. When you get up to pee, drink some water. As much as you can. I keep a cup of water with an evil straw next to my bed.
Hydrate all day long.
I was prescribed some about nine years ago. I took two pills and stopped.
I found that if I lose some weight the pressure drops to normal. That’s what I’m working on right now.
My wife and I are both 65 and abandoned health insurance on the day Obamacare went full Soviet on us (1/1/2014).
Infrequently I take two 10’s of melatonin and sleep wonderfully. It takes a lot if anything to have any effect me.
“Sleepless nights linked to high blood pressure”
The title is a poor and near opposite expression of what the report was talking about. It is more a report about “High blood pressure linked to sleepless nights”.
my doc prescribes a diuretic to slough off water to help lower the blood pressure.
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https://edrugsearch.com/worst-medications-for-kidneys/
The article say diuretics "can", not will, deteriorate kidney function. I drink lots of water everyday. My kidney function is fine.
".... Before using [diurectics], talk to your doctor to see if this medication will be the best fit for you...."
I've been taking it for 8 years with no problems. If I run out and can't take it for a while, I retain water and my BP goes up. So it's doing its job.
My doctor prescribed the diuretic for me. I trust my doctor before I start trusting articles on the internet.
At that age you are eligible for medicare, which still works reasonably well.
Yeah. I’ll get plan B when I reach age 66 and start taking my full SS benefit in a few months. There is really not a lot most insurance plans have to offer me, though. e.g. If I got Cancer I would go all natural, Medical Marijuana, etc.
And if it doesn’t work, I’ll do what people have been doing since the dawn of man: I’ll die. Life is a mist, then comes eternity.
I took diuretics that was in my BP meds for almost 30 straight years. And, the site I had a link to was just 1 of many saying the same thing.
If you’re interested, here’s a link to a Doc giving a talk to other Doc’s on BP. Kind of long video. Around 50 mins.
Thanks but I’ll follow my own doctor’s advice.
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