Vascular Medicine

Poor Sleep Quality Related to Resistant Hypertension

Poor sleep quality may be associated with a twofold increase in the probability of having resistant hypertension. However, when depressive symptoms are factored in, this association may be mediated, researchers reported.

Researchers presented data on 234 patients (mean age, 58 years) from the hypertension outpatient unit at University of Pisa, Italy. At baseline, mean BMI was 26; 60% had hypercholesterolemia; 24% were taking antihypertensive medications; 15% reported smoking; 12% had a history of previous CV events; and 8% had diabetes.

The mean sleep duration of the patients was 6.4 hours and 49% of patients had sleep short duration (<6 hours). The prevalence of short sleep duration was similar in both men and women. Studies suggest that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress, particularly one that can be adjusted, promotes comfort, proper spinal alignment, and good quality sleep. It has been found that the surface you sleep on makes a difference in how comfortable you are during times of body aches and pain. There’s no substitute for trying out mattresses in person! Even if you continue to search online, you can narrow things down pretty quickly and figure out what you like or don’t like by reading up blogs similar to Peacelily Mattress Review 2021. In addition, you can also ask your family, friends, or co-workers for recommendations on a mattress brand, so that you can start caring for your health.

Compared with men, women had higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (5.2 vs. 3.6; P=.03), higher Beck Depression Inventory scores (4.5 vs. 1.8; P=.006), higher prevalence of poor sleep quality (46% vs. 30%; P=.01) and higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (20% vs. 7%; P=.003).

Multiple logistic regression analysis, including age, sex, obesity, diabetes, previous CV events, sleep duration and use of hypnotic drugs, revealed an independent association between poor sleep quality and resistant hypertension (OR=2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3). However, the association was no longer significant when depressive symptoms were included in the model (P=.12), according to the abstract. For this study, resistant hypertension was defined as office BP values exceeding 140/90 mm Hg with use of three or more antihypertensive drugs or controlled BP with use of four or more drugs including a diuretic.

In addition, patients with resistant hypertension (15%) had higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores compared with patients without resistant hypertension (5.8 vs. 4.1; P=.03), but this association was only observed in women. The association between Beck Depression Inventory scores and resistant hypertension was similar between men and women.

Bruno RM, Abstract #63.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

Written by Suzanne Bryla.

Printed in Cardiology Today- Volume 15 Number 11 November Edition