What are the causes of nocturnal hypertension?

Nocturnal blood pressure is now recognized to be superior to daytime blood pressure in predicting cardiovascular risk. The definition of nocturnal hypertension is night-time BP ≥120/70 mmHg (>110/65 mmHg.

There are many possible causes for nighttime high blood pressure. These include sleep apnea, diabetes, kidney disease and/or transplant, restless leg syndrome, lack of activity or quality sleep, high salt intake, and night-shift work.

Diabetes mellitus, CKD (Chronic kidney disease), and OSA (Obstructive sleep apnea) are the 3 diseases most frequently associated with nocturnal hypertension.

Blood pressure dipping seems to be impacted by sleep quality and is related to the pattern of sleep stages across the night. Stress seems to be a particularly salient factor in impacting nocturnal blood pressure as well.

In addition, people who are anxious or stressed are more likely to engage in unhealthy habits that can raise blood pressure, such as:
*Smoking
*Drinking alcoholic beverages
*Overeating

Symptoms of nocturnal hypertension include:
*Frequent arousal from sleep at night
*Snoring, breath holding, and gasping at night
*Frequent awakening to urinate at night (known as nocturia)
What are the causes of nocturnal hypertension?

Nocturnal hypertension

Nocturnal is the behavior characterized by being active during the night. Nocturnal blood pressure is the blood pressure measured during bedtime to arising or between 1 am and 6 am by ABPM or home blood pressure.

Nocturnal hypertension is diagnosed by the average of nocturnal BPs
>125/75 mmHg. The value was suggested by American Heart Association.

This threshold was lowered by the European Society of Hypertension updated practice guidelines that considered a nighttime blood pressure of greater than 120/70 mmHg to be abnormal.

Nocturnal hypertension is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity.
Nocturnal hypertension