Omron Blood Pressure Monitors

A new study published in the medical journal Sleep last month found that people who suffer from insomnia have higher blood pressure at night. Over time, this high nighttime blood pressure can lead to cardiac problems.

Over many years, chronic insomnia can have negative effects on the hearts of otherwise healthy individuals, lead author Professor Paola Lanfranchi told Medical News Today. Whereas blood pressure decreases in regular sleepers and gives their heart a rest, insomnia provokes higher nighttime blood pressure that can cause long-term cardiovascular risks and damage the heart.

Co-author Professor Jacque Montplaisir said that blood pressure cycles are mainly linked to the sleep-wake cycle. Since blood pressure is intensified among insomniacs, those with overt cardiac disease are particularly at risk for advancement of the disease.

Nearly half of adults at some point in their lives are affected by insomnia. If you already have heart disease or high blood pressure, you should try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. A good nights sleep will allow your heart to rest and lower your blood pressure.

Here are some natural sleep tips that will enable you to get a good nights rest (without the use of sleeping pills) and lower your blood pressure naturally:

Avoid caffeine after noon. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, you should really avoid all caffeine. But let’s be practical here: Most people aren’t going to give up their morning coffee. If you must drink coffee or tea, then only have one or two cups in the morning, and don’t consume any caffeine after lunch.

Stay with a regular bedtime routine. Your bodys internal clock will work much better if you go to bed at the same each night. Start to wind down at least an hour before bedtime. Turn off the computer and the television. Relax with a book or long, hot bath. While you may be tempted to have a drink or two to help your relax, you should stay away from alcohol before bedtime. Booze may assist you to fall asleep, but it robs you of deep, restorative sleep.

If you have electronic devices (like a TV or computer) in your bedroom, move them to another room. Your bedroom should be your refuge for sleep. You don’t need any distractions. Be sure your bedroom is completely dark and a slightly cool bedroom will also help you fall asleep easier.

Invest in a comfortable mattress. If you have a lumpy, uncomfortable mattress, you really should invest in a new one. Think about it: You spend nearly a third of your life in bed (or you should, at least). You deserve a comfortable mattress. Visit a mattress outlet and try out several different beds.

Eat a nutritious diet. A high-sugar, high-fat diet will not only raise your blood pressure but also make it harder to sleep (and thereby increase your blood pressure even more). Stay away from junk food and processed foods. Eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as you can. Don’t eat anything in the hours before bedtime. It will be harder to fall asleep if your digestive system is busy. If you must have a snack, make sure that it’s small.

Enjoy the sunlight each day. Healthy sunlight exposure regulates your internal clock. Sunlight produces vitamin D and affects melatonin levels. Attempt to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight exposure each day. During the winter, if you live in a cold environment, you may want to think about supplementing vitamin D.

Stay active. This is potentially the most critical step in getting a good nights sleep. If you wear out your body during the day, you will be able to fall asleep at night. Talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program, especially if you have heart disease. Some taxing exercises may be too much for your heart. See high blood pressure exercises to learn about three easy exercises that are guaranteed to lower your blood pressure.

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