Key takeaways

  • High blood pressure can disrupt sleep due to symptoms such as headaches and shortness of breath, while insufficient sleep can elevate stress hormones and impact heart function, potentially contributing to the development of high blood pressure.
  • Certain high blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers, may interfere with sleep by affecting sleep-inducing hormones. However, consulting with a doctor can help identify alternative medications that don’t cause sleep disturbances.
  • Managing blood pressure and exploring safe sleep aids are lifestyle changes that can help break the cycle of high blood pressure and insomnia. It’s essential to discuss these options with a doctor, especially before using sleep aids long term, as some may increase the need for blood pressure medication.

Sleep is vital for energy and concentration. But getting a good night’s rest also protects against other health conditions, including high blood pressure (HBP).

When you sleep, your body resets. Chemicals and hormones balance, and your blood pressure drops. If you don’t sleep enough, your body doesn’t get the fresh start it needs.

The result? Worsening issues such as inflammation, elevated stress hormones, and lower immune function.

The connection may go the other way, too: having HBP may cause insomnia.

Research from 2018 associates HBP with insomnia.

HBP occurs when the force of blood pumping through your veins is high, putting stress on your blood vessels. This may cause the following symptoms that make sleep difficult:

Most healthcare professionals recommend adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Getting less than this can harm your overall health and is associated with:

Yes, insomnia may raise your blood pressure.

During sleep, your body regulates the hormones that control your blood pressure (thereby lowering it), your heart rate, and other functions. But if you don’t get enough sleep, these functions don’t happen or are cut short.

Over time, elevated hormone levels can affect your blood pressure and how your heart pumps. This can lead to HBP and related health complications, such as:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults who sleep less than 7 hours are more likely to say they have the following health conditions:

These conditions can also increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

One type of HBP medication, called beta-blockers, may interfere with sleep, according to a 2021 research review. Users commonly report sleep disturbances such as insomnia and nightmares.

It’s believed that beta-blockers interact with your body’s natural sleep-inducing hormones. As a result, falling asleep and staying asleep may be harder.

Taking HBP medication (antihypertensives) is often necessary for managing the condition and helping prevent complications. The potential of insomnia is not a reason to avoid treating your blood pressure.

Not all antihypertensives have this side effect. Work with your doctor to find one that lowers your blood pressure without interfering with sleep.

Try to implement some of these lifestyle changes that may help you get more rest:

  • Don’t catch up on lost sleep: Try to avoid making up for lousy sleep during the week. Sleeping too much can raise your risk of conditions such as high blood sugar and weight gain.
  • Create a sleep schedule: Long nights and early mornings happen from time to time. But following a regular schedule for going to bed and waking up might help you get better sleep and train your body to know when to expect rest.
  • Get physical: Exercise can help lower your blood pressure and may make you more tired in the evening. But try to avoid doing it within a few hours of your scheduled bedtime.
  • Try relaxation techniques: Calming activities can help you reduce your blood pressure and improve sleep. Consider yoga, tai chi, breathing techniques, or meditation.

Managing HBP

HBP can lead to the serious health complications discussed in this article if left untreated.

If your blood pressure is high or not well managed with your current treatment plan, talk with your doctor about what other options may be available to you.

Some sleep medications and aids generally considered safe for people who also take antihypertensives include:

  • Melatonin: Melatonin signals your brain when it’s time to go to sleep and wake up. You can take extended-release melatonin, which may be more effective than immediate-release in regulating sleep throughout the entire night.
  • Valerian root: Like melatonin, valerian root may have a calming effect on your body and encourage sleep.
  • Prescription medications: Some prescription sedative-hypnotics (eszopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon) can help correct your brain’s hormone receptors and make sleep easier to achieve. Other prescription medications include dual orexin receptor antagonists (suvorexant, daridorexant) and low dose doxepin (3 to 6 milligrams).

It’s important to note that sleeping pills may help you get more sleep in the short term, but you shouldn’t use them long term.

A 2019 study suggests that regular sleep aid use may increase the likelihood of needing blood pressure medications over time.

Some sleep aids that are not safe to take with antihypertensives due to possible hypotension or heart rate issues include flurazepam and the antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine.

Be sure to talk with your doctor

It’s always a good idea to talk with a doctor before you try any supplements or other sleep aids if you take HPB medications. Make sure to review sleep aids that are safe for people with HBP.

Sleep is vital to your health. If you don’t get enough, your risk of HBP, weight gain, and diabetes is higher. But HBP can conversely make getting restful sleep difficult.

If you have HBP and think you may have insomnia as a result, talk with your doctor. There are many options for treating insomnia, some of which can be done at home.

Medications can treat both HBP and sleep disorders. However, it’s important to use these medications properly. Long-term use of sleep aids might increase your blood pressure and the need for medications to treat it.