New evidence from a large US study indicates a link between insufficient sleep and a higher risk of hypertension in women. Sleep patterns appear to influence the way blood vessels constrict and relax, and they may affect the function of cells that regulate vascular tone. This insight comes from researchers who summarized the findings in reports from EurekAlert.
The investigation followed 66,122 women aged 25 to 42 who did not have hypertension at the start. Data were gathered on demographics such as age and race, body mass index, diet, lifestyle, physical activity, and family history of hypertension. Participants provided updated information every two years about the development of hypertension and changes in sleep duration and sleep quality were monitored on a regular basis.
Analyses showed that women who consistently sleep less than seven to eight hours per night faced a higher likelihood of developing hypertension over the study period. Those who struggled to fall asleep or who woke repeatedly during the night were similarly at greater risk. The results underscore a measurable association between sleep disruption and future high blood pressure in this population.
According to the researchers, insufficient sleep may trigger a cascade of physiological changes, including elevated sodium balance, greater arterial stiffness, and an increased heart rate, all of which are linked to higher blood pressure. Irregular sleep-wake cycles can also reduce the elasticity of blood vessels, potentially contributing to cardiovascular risk over time.
Future work aims to broaden the study to include men, to determine whether these sleep-related risks are similar across genders and to identify potential biological pathways that connect sleep with vascular health in a broader population.
In earlier reporting, the term Sleep disorders associated with increased risk of dementia was used to describe related observations about sleep and brain health, highlighting the growing recognition of sleep’s role in overall health outcomes.