World Hypertension Day, marked each year on 17 May, is a global moment to focus attention on high blood pressure and how to control it. This year’s theme, set by the World Hypertension League, is “Controlling Hypertension Together,” a call for shared responsibility across the cardiovascular, primary care, patient and policy communities.
Sleep Health Europe is marking the day by highlighting a part of the picture that is too often overlooked: what happens to blood pressure overnight. Blood pressure does not stop changing when the clinic closes, and the hours we spend asleep are when some of the most dangerous changes can occur, often without symptoms and often without diagnosis.
The infographic below sets out five things worth knowing about sleep and hypertension, from the natural overnight dip in blood pressure to the role of sleep apnoea and the place of sleep in Europe’s cardiovascular policy.
For the full policy case, read our article “Controlling Hypertension Together: the case for the missing eight hours.“
