Women's Risk For High Blood Pressure Goes Up If They Struggle With This

For this study, researchers wanted to understand whether there was a connection between sleep and hypertension.

To do so, they looked at over 66,000 women between the ages of 25 and 42 for over 16 years. The data collected included insights into participants' age, race, BMI, diet, exercise, family history of hypertension, and more. None of the participants had hypertension when the study began.

Throughout the study, the researchers recorded participants' amount of sleep, as well as any sleeping difficulties like having trouble falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, etc.

And by the end of the study, it would appear that there is a link between sleep and hypertension. Namely, the women who had more sleeping difficulties not only had less physical activity, poorer diets, and higher BMIs, but they were also more likely to have hypertension.

It's important to call out that this study is an example of correlation, not causation, with the study authors noting that further research is necessary to understand this link.

However, as study co-author Shahab Haghayegh, Ph.D., explains in a news release, "These findings suggest that individuals who struggle with symptoms of insomnia may be at risk of hypertension and could benefit from preemptive screening," adding, "The sooner we can identify individuals with high blood pressure and treat them for it, the better we can mitigate future health issues."

And to that end, one of the best things you can do for your overall sleep hygiene is to maintain a consistent sleep/wake schedule—that is, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Research also shows that exercising regularly is a good way to prime the body and brain for deep sleep1 and prevent high blood pressure2.