Sleep disorders in patients with hypertension - Possible risk factor and predictor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of sleep disorders (Sa) on circadian blood pressure (BP) profile and BP variability in patients wit h mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was performed on different days in 115 untreated patients (56 females, mean age 54+/-4,9 years). Results of ABPMs obtained on days with (group 1) and without (group 2) sleep disorders were compared. Statistical analysis (by S tudent's t-test for matched pairs) revealed that sleep disorders were assoc iated with higher nighttime, daytime and 24-hour EP levels as well as night time BP variability. In group 1 nocturnal BP decline was less pronounced th an in group 2 (7.7+/-16.8 vs. 11,9+/-6.6% for systolic, p<0.001, and 7,3+/- 6,1% vs. 9+/-6,7%, p<0.05, for diastolic BP, respectively). Sleep disorders affected normal day-night BP difference in 16% of patients. The results su ggest that sleep disorders can play some role as possible risk: factor and predictor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications of hypertensi on becouse hypertensive patients with higher 24-h BP levels and non-dipper subjects are known to carry higher risk of end-organ damage.