Nighttime Measures of Blood Pressure Might Be a Good Predictor of Risk

Rises in systolic BP during sleep are associated with higher risks for stroke and cardiovascular disease.

We are continuing to learn about the limitations of office-based measurements of blood pressure (BP). Ambulatory and home-based monitoring are better indicators of cardiovascular risk, and nighttime BP monitoring is receiving new attention, especially regarding changes in systolic BP while asleep versus awake. Investigators in Japan conducted a prospective ambulatory BP-monitoring study with over 6000 participants who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor (mean age, 69; 48% men); three fourths of the participants were taking antihypertensive medication (UMIN000020377).

Compared with participants whose BP declined during sleep (so-called dippers), those whose BP rose (“risers”) had higher risks at a mean follow-up of 4.5 years for heart…

Reviewing Author

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Nighttime Measures of Blood Pressure Might Be a Good Predictor of Risk

Topics

Reviewing Author