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Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?
Sleep Disorder Clue 3: High Blood Pressure
Despite some spikes during REM sleep, overall blood pressure during sleep is normally about 10 percent lower than waking blood pressure.
Bradley Schnierow, M.D., a sleep specialist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, advises checking your blood pressure at home.
Heart-Healthy Tip: A large national study found that the risk of hypertension increased for people ages 32–59 who slept five hours or less a night. The theory is that sleep-deprived people spend less time in deep sleep, when blood pressure dips. Consequently, their blood pressure may get reset to a higher level over time.
Continued on Page 4: Find a Sleep Doctor |
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