Why does blood pressure rise at night?

Human blood pressure is an index that represents the health of human blood. It is also common to have high blood pressure while sleeping at night. There are many reasons for high blood pressure while sleeping at night. This may be caused by fluctuations in blood pressure when lying down and standing upright. The blood pressure will change in the morning or early morning. Pay more attention to blood pressure fluctuations and treat them in time.

Why does blood pressure rise at night?

Under normal circumstances, human blood pressure fluctuates constantly, sometimes rising and sometimes falling. Generally speaking, the highest blood pressure cannot exceed 140/90 mmHg, and the lowest cannot be lower than 90/60 mmHg. If your blood pressure is normal during the day but high at night, you don't need to be too nervous as long as it doesn't exceed 140/90. If your blood pressure is over 140/90 at night, you can be diagnosed with hypertension and need active treatment.

The blood pressure of a normal person shows obvious diurnal fluctuations. Blood pressure is generally at its lowest point for 2-3 hours at night, rises sharply in the early morning, and basically remains at a relatively high level during the day. Most people have higher blood pressure between 6:00-8:00 in the morning and 4:00-6:00 in the afternoon, and their blood pressure tends to slowly decrease after 6:00 in the afternoon. The diurnal fluctuation pattern of blood pressure in patients with hypertension is similar, but the amplitude is larger. The diurnal fluctuations of blood pressure in hypertensive patients can be roughly divided into 4 types:

(1) Normal rhythm type.

(2) Circadian rhythm disappearance type, which is more common in patients with severe hypertension or severe damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys, sleep apnea syndrome, and severe insomnia.

(3) Nocturnal elevation type is more common in patients with severe autonomic dysfunction and some patients with obvious atherosclerosis.

(4) Pheochromocytoma type: seen in patients with pheochromocytoma and a small number of patients with essential hypertension, often manifested by paroxysmal significant increase in blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension.

The incidence of nocturnal hypertension is low, accounting for only 15% to 20% of all primary hypertension. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly people and obese people, and is often accompanied by comorbidities or complications such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, paroxysmal sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy, and kidney damage.

Patients with hypertension should first undergo a systematic examination to determine whether the condition is primary or secondary. The best way is to see a local cardiologist for detailed and regular diagnosis and treatment.

Nocturnal hypertension may not cause obvious discomfort, but it can easily cause damage to important organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, and may even be life-threatening. Patients must not ignore high blood pressure at night.