The Secret to lower Blood Pressure in Children

A study published online on June 18 in Pediatrics has found that longer sleep duration and earlier sleep onset are related with lower blood pressure in children.

Lead by Amy J. Kogon, M.D., from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and her colleagues, the surveying study analyzed initial ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data and self-reported sleep data from patients referred to a pediatric nephrology clinic for raised blood pressure evaluation. The researchers examined associations between sleep habits and both continuous and dichotomous blood pressure outcomes.

The study sample included 539 patients with a mean age of 14.6 years, 56 percent of whom met the criteria for hypertension. On average, these patients slept 9.1 hours per night, with sleep onset at 11:06 p.m. and wake-up time at 8:18 a.m.

The answers revealed a significant association between longer sleep duration and improved daytime blood pressure parameters. Specifically, for each extra hour of sleep, there was a reduction in the odds of wake hypertension (odds ratio, 0.88).

Conversely, later sleep onset was associated with worse daytime blood pressure parameters. Each additional hour of delayed sleep onset correlated with a higher wake systolic blood pressure index (β = 0.07). These associations remained consistent across different sexes, ages, body mass indexes, and weekdays.

Consistent Associations Across Demographics

Influence of Sex, Age, and Body Mass Index

The study’s findings were consistent across various demographic factors, including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). This consistency indicates that the benefits of longer sleep duration and earlier sleep onset on blood pressure are universally applicable to all children, regardless of these individual differences.

Weekday vs. Weekend Sleep Patterns

Interestingly, the associations between sleep patterns and blood pressure were consistent regardless of whether the data was collected on weekdays or weekends. This highlights the importance of maintaining regular sleep schedules throughout the week to support cardiovascular health in children.

Implications for Pediatric Hypertension Management

Nonpharmacologic Interventions

The study’s findings suggest that optimizing sleep duration and sleep onset could serve as effective nonpharmacologic interventions for improving blood pressure in children. By prioritizing healthy sleep habits, we can potentially reduce the burden of pediatric hypertension and its associated complications.

Practical Recommendations for Parents and Caregivers

• Establish Consistent Sleep Routines: Encourage children to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment: Ensure that the child’s bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool to promote better sleep.
• Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before bedtime to help children fall asleep earlier.
• Promote Relaxing Pre-Sleep Activities: Encourage activities such as reading or taking a warm bath before bed to help children unwind.

Quick Review

The link between longer sleep duration, earlier sleep onset, and lower blood pressure in children highlights the vital role of sleep in maintaining cardiovascular health. By encouraging and maintaining healthy sleep habits, parents and caregivers can help ensure their children’s long-term health and well-being.