What is Meant by 20+4 Crucial Hours of BP Control?

High blood pressure is a common phenomenon in people. Did you know that your blood pressure follows a cyclic pattern? Yes, it usually is at the lower side during the night when you are asleep. And gradually it springs a couple of hours before you get up. This elevation in your blood pressure level continues during the daytime and peaks somewhat during mid-afternoon. And by the time it is the evening or late afternoon, it tends to fall again.Therefore, it is crucial to keep track or measure blood pressure 24 hours a day.

What Is Morning Hypertension?

Some people show deviation from their regular BP pattern. One such deviation is morning hypertension, wherein there is a surge in the blood pressure level in the morning. And, it might increase the risk of brain, kidneys, and heart damage. Most importantly, people with well-controlled BP can also develop this condition.

What Are The Types Of Hypertension?

There are two types of high blood pressure conditions. It includes:

• Nocturnal hypertensionThe key features of nocturnal high blood pressure include the following:
  • Your BP readings do not come down much during the night
  • The BP readings of the night are higher than BP readings taken during the daytime
  • Commonly happens in people who have diabetes, sleep apnea, those who had a cardiac failure or stroke
• Morning surge hypertensionThe key features of morning surge hypertension include the following:
  • Your blood pressure tends to rise around 2-hours before you wake up
  • Your blood pressure readings happen to increase after getting up from the bed
  • People with morning-surge high blood pressure are likely to experience heart rate variability

What Are The Causes Of Morning High Blood Pressure?

When you get up in the morning and measure blood pressure, you are likely to find it elevated. It is because of the normal circadian rhythm (a 24-hour cycle of your body that affects your sleeping-waking patterns) of your body. Your body releases adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones in the morning that gives a kick to your energy levels. However, these hormones might increase your blood pressure level, as well.

How Will You Understand That You Have Morning High Blood Pressure?

One of the best ways to determine if or not you have morning hypertension is to measure blood pressure in the morning. For this, you can get a home BP monitor. You can find this device at a local pharmacy. Consult your doctor before buying a home BP monitoring device. He/she will help you choose the right one.

What Are The Risks Of Morning Hypertension?

Morning hypertension is more likely to increase your risks of stroke, cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, and sudden death, especially in the early morning hours compared to people who do not have morning hypertension. So, if you experience the following symptoms, make sure to get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible:

• Pain in the chest
• Severe headache
• Tingling sensation in your arms and face
• Numbness

Always remember, untreated morning hypertension can lead to many other life-threatening health conditions. It’s therefore necessary to keep a track of your blood pressure through regular check-ups with your doctor and adherence to BP medications.

Note of caution: This article is for information purpose only. Always consult your doctor before altering any diet plans, medications or in case of any other blood pressure related troubles.