Poor sleep patterns may raise high blood pressure risk, experts say

Excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty falling asleep at night could be warning signs of future cardiovascular problems, according to new research presented at the SLEEP 2026 conference.

Researchers found that adults who regularly felt excessively sleepy during the day were significantly more likely to have high blood pressure than those who did not report daytime fatigue. The risk increased even further among participants who also needed 30 minutes or longer to fall asleep.

The study analysed sleep data from roughly 1,700 adults enrolled in the Penn State Adult Cohort. Participants underwent overnight sleep studies and were followed for an average of 7.5 years.

Investigators discovered that people experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness had a 52% higher likelihood of already having hypertension and a 74% greater risk of developing the condition over time. Among those who also struggled to fall asleep, the findings were even more striking. Their odds of existing hypertension more than doubled, while their chances of developing the condition later were more than three times higher.

Researchers said the association remained significant even after accounting for factors that can influence both sleep and blood pressure, including age, depression, alcohol consumption and caffeine intake.

Why sleep may affect blood pressure

Although the study does not prove that poor sleep directly causes hypertension, experts say the findings add to growing evidence that sleep health and cardiovascular health are closely connected.

Several biological processes linked to poor sleep, including elevated stress hormones, increased heart rate and inflammation, have also been associated with high blood pressure. Researchers believe disrupted sleep may interfere with the body's natural overnight blood pressure reduction, known as nocturnal dipping, potentially increasing long-term cardiovascular risk.

However, sleep specialists caution that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship and determine whether improving sleep quality can directly reduce hypertension risk.

Study limitations

Experts noted that the research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal and was conducted in a sleep laboratory setting, which may influence participants' normal sleep patterns. Factors such as unfamiliar surroundings, different bedding and scheduled sleep times could affect how people sleep during the study.

Despite those limitations, sleep medicine specialists say persistent daytime sleepiness should not be ignored.

Habits that support better sleep and heart health

Experts recommend maintaining consistent sleep habits, aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep per night and avoiding the temptation to "catch up" on missed sleep during weekends.

Additional strategies that may support both sleep quality and cardiovascular health include:

• Getting natural morning sunlight exposure.
• Exercising regularly, with at least 150 minutes of activity per week.
• Limiting alcohol consumption.
• Reducing caffeine intake, particularly later in the day.
• Following a consistent sleep schedule.

Doctors advise anyone who frequently feels sleepy during the day or has ongoing trouble falling asleep to seek medical advice, especially if symptoms persist despite healthy sleep habits.

While researchers continue to investigate the connection between sleep disturbances and hypertension, the latest findings suggest that paying attention to daytime fatigue may provide important clues about overall heart health.