In healthy people, blood pressure at night usually drops by about 10–20% compared to daytime. This is a natural physiological response that helps the body get proper rest. However, when blood pressure does not decrease as expected or worse, increases during sleep, it means that the cardiovascular system is still working hard, even though the body is at rest.
Nocturnal hypertension is often difficult to detect if blood pressure is not measured at the right time or if a 24-hour continuous monitoring device is used. Many people do not realize they have nocturnal hypertension until they experience complications such as early morning strokes, headaches after waking up, or persistent fatigue.
Signs of high blood pressure while sleeping
Not everyone can easily detect high blood pressure while sleeping, but some of the following indirect signs may be signs of blood pressure:
1. Waking up many times during the night for no apparent reason
If you often wake up in the middle of the night without a specific cause such as nocturia, noise or nightmares, it may be a sign of a sudden increase in blood pressure while sleeping. The body will react by waking you up to readjust its physiological state.
2. Difficulty falling asleep, sleeping lightly or having nightmares
People with high blood pressure at night often have sleep disorders such as intermittent sleep, waking up easily or having nightmares with many strange dreams. This is due to the sympathetic nervous system being overactive, affecting the deep sleep cycle and making you feel not fully rested.
3. Headache or dizziness in the morning
If you often have a mild headache or dizziness after waking up, don’t rush to think it’s due to lack of sleep. This may be the result of prolonged high blood pressure at night, obstructing blood flow to the brain and causing a feeling of lethargy from early morning.
4. Rapid heartbeat when waking up
Another less noticeable symptom is the feeling of a strong, abnormally fast heartbeat when opening your eyes. Increased heart rate in the early morning is a physiological reaction that can occur when blood pressure suddenly increases, especially in the elderly or people with a history of high blood pressure.
5. Feeling tired all day
You sleep enough hours but still feel tired, lethargic, and not alert throughout the day. This may be the result of sleep disturbances due to high blood pressure at night. The body does not recover properly during sleep, causing energy to not be fully regenerated, causing a state of prolonged fatigue.
What to do to control blood pressure at night?
High blood pressure while sleeping is a silent threat, but it is completely controllable if you apply the right measures. Here are 5 specific tips to help you keep your blood pressure stable:
1. Monitor your blood pressure at night
If you suspect you have high blood pressure while you sleep, the first step is to monitor it accurately. A 24-hour blood pressure monitor or specialized sleep monitoring devices can help detect changes in blood pressure at night.
2. Take your medication at the right time
Blood pressure medication should not always be taken in the morning. Depending on your doctor’s instructions, some medications may work better when taken at night. This adjustment in the timing of your medication can help control your blood pressure throughout your sleep, preventing sudden cardiovascular events in the early morning.
3. Check for sleep apnea
Loud snoring, gasping for breath, or waking up several times during the night can be signs of sleep apnea, a common cause of high blood pressure at night. If you often feel tired despite getting enough sleep, consider screening for timely treatment, which may include using a breathing machine or changing your sleeping position.
4. Adjust your evening lifestyle
Evening lifestyle directly affects your blood pressure while you sleep. Limit salty foods in your dinner, avoid drinking too much water or caffeinated drinks such as tea or coffee before going to bed. At the same time, reduce stressful activities at the end of the day to help your body relax and recover.
5. Maintain a stable lifestyle
Your body adapts well to stability. Therefore, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will help your biological clock work more effectively. A quiet, dark and airy sleeping space will be the ideal conditions for the nervous system to relax, thereby stabilizing blood pressure throughout the night.
