High blood pressure differs throughout the day depending upon foods consumed, physical activity, and psychological stress. Regrettably, for some individuals, their high blood pressure may be too high in the morning. This is called morning hypertension or morning hypertension. Scientists have found that early morning hypertension increases the risk of heart and blood vessel problems such as stroke. Even in patients with well-controlled high blood pressure, 50% still have high early morning blood pressure.
What Is Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is created when blood is pumped by the heart into our blood vessels. A normal home blood pressure reading must be less than 135/85 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) is the pressure produced when the heart is contracted. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure developed when the heart is relaxed. High blood pressure can be increased when our heart beats faster and harder or if our blood vessels tighten up, making a narrower opening for the blood to stream through.
Causes of High Blood Pressure in the Morning
Blood pressure increases when we first awaken due to the body’s normal body clock. Circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that affects our sleep/wake patterns. In the early morning, the body launches hormonal agents such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones give you boosts of energy but can likewise raise your blood pressure. The morning boost in blood pressure is generally seen in between 6:00 AM and noon. If the high blood pressure rises too expensive, it can cause damaging effects.
Possible Dangers
Patients with hypertension who specifically have early morning hypertension have a higher risk of stroke, compared with other hypertensive patients without morning hypertension.
Hypertension can cause a stroke, which is an unexpected loss of brain function due to a lack of blood supply to the brain. Two types of stroke exist?ischemic or hemorrhagic. A stroke brought on by an embolism is called an ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes are the most common, triggering 85% of the 600,000 strokes that take place each year. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain.
Early morning hypertension likewise can increase your risk of other heart and blood vessel issues. It has been related to modifications in your heart’s rhythm and size, which can result in a cardiac arrest or heart failure. Be sure to contact your doctor instantly if you experience symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, and numbness or tingling in your face or arms.
Who Is at Risk?
You may be at risk for harmful early morning hypertension due to the following:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes type 1 or type 2
- Being older than 65 years old
- Use of tobacco or alcohol
- Being obese
- High cholesterol levels
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure
Medical professionals advise that patients monitor their blood pressure at home to help determine their risk of early morning hypertension using a home blood pressure display that has actually been scientifically shown to be precise. You can acquire a home blood pressure screen without a prescription at your local pharmacy. Several types of monitors are readily available, consisting of automatic and manual models. The only home blood pressure screen currently on the market cleared by the FDA to help identify a patient’s risk of early morning hypertension is manufactured by Omron Healthcare (Model HEM-780). Omron automatic high blood pressure monitors are clinically shown accurate and include IntelliSense for appropriate cuff inflation, memory ability, various cuff sizes, and an electronic display that includes the date and time.
When acquiring a home blood pressure display, be sure to pick the proper cuff size that matches the distance around your arm. If an incorrect cuff size is used, this might cause a wrong high blood pressure reading. You also ought to think about whether you want an automated or manual inflation cuff with your display.
Also read: SGOT and SGPT test
Home Blood Pressure Monitor
Your blood pressure need to be signed in the early morning, about an hour after you wake up, and at night, about an hour prior to you go to sleep, using the exact same arm each time. Taking 3 consecutive measurements (about 1 minute apart) will offer a more accurate understanding of your “true” blood pressure. Prevent food, caffeine, or tobacco a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the measurement. Sit in a chair with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back supported. Your arm should be at the exact same level as your heart and rested on a table or counter. Follow the user directions included with your blood pressure screen. Keep a log of all your high blood pressure readings. Many of the Omron monitors have internal memory ability for tape-recording your readings and the date and time. Bring the log to every doctor’s consultation so that your doctor knows your home high blood pressure readings. Your doctor might make changes in your medications based upon your home high blood pressure readings, which might include changing the time you take your medication or the type of medication.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, and routine physical activity will help to safeguard you from early morning hypertension. If you take high blood pressure medications, take them as your doctor has ordered, and keep a log of your home blood pressure readings. These actions may assist to prevent heart or blood vessel problems such as stroke.
