Deep Sleep May Affect Blood Pressure Risk

Light sleepers may be more likely to develop high blood pressure, a new study suggests. Previous research has found a link between less sleep and risk of high blood pressure. The new study found that a shortage of deep sleep may be even more important. The study included 784 men, average age 75. When the study began, they did not have high blood pressure. Researchers gave them at-home sleep tests. The tests measured their sleep patterns, including non-rapid eye movement sleep. This is also known as slow-wave or deep sleep. About 3 years later, 243 men had developed high blood pressure. Men who got the least deep sleep were 83% more likely to develop the condition than those who got the most deep sleep. The link remained even after researchers adjusted their numbers based on other things that affect high blood pressure risk. These include age, race and obesity.