Blood Pressure Meds At Night Could Lower Heart Risk, Study Finds

By Katherine Harmon
(Click here for the original article and podcast)

The stress of the day, from morning traffic to the evening news, can make anyone's blood pressure rise. And about one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure—a condition that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Many people figure it's best to keep on top of day-to-day hypertension by taking all their blood pressure medications in the morning. But recent research suggests it might actually be nighttime blood pressure levels that are more important for overall heart health. And a new study finds that people who took at least one of their hypertension meds before bed were much less likely to have had a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke. The findings are described in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. [Ramón Hermida et al, Bedtime Dosing of Antihypertensive Medications Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in CKD]

After being followed for an average of about five and a half years, people who were taking at least one of their blood pressure meds before bed were only about a third as likely to have had serious circulatory problems as other patients. So just changing a small daily habit could lead to hearty rewards.

Comments

[katemissy]

09:20 AM on 10/29/2011

I find that since I started taking half of my BP meds at night that I wake up feeling better than when I was taking it all in the morning.

[StevenRussell1]

12:35 AM on 10/29/2011

I'm in the center of God's will for my life, as I have been 100% yielded, and fully surrendered to Him since January, 1980.

So no stress here, although I have had to start taking blood pressure medications since about last July. I guess it's just my age.

My label tells me to take 1 tablet a day, not at night, so I'll continue to take my blood pressure medication in the morning.

My blood pressure has been normal, and most recently Thursday, October 27th. here, at my Primary Care Physician's Office, where I had a good report.

So let the Researchers study on. God has my life under control.

Peace be still.

[pg468477]

05:35 AM on 10/29/2011

The label says 1 tablet a "day". There are 24 hours in a "day". Its' ok to take it at 8pm as well as 8 am. God also gave you a brain to use.

[MThompsonIII]

04:50 PM on 10/29/2011

too harsh pg468477. maybe a better reply could have been informative instead of hurtful. take a chill pill, anytime of day or night, is fine. God bless.

[f1nesse101]

11:26 PM on 10/28/2011

Blood Pressure medicine is administered several ways in several doses. The best choice is 20mgs in the morning and 20mg at bedtime. You have had your maximum of dose of 40mgs. and you will sleep better if your blood pressure is at a good or very good rate at night.

[bmitche]

10:20 PM on 10/28/2011

I don't have high blood pessure, but since everyone's blood pressure rises in the morning, I don't understand why fitness experts recommend cardio exercises to be done in the morning.

[JiveNJingle]

10:08 PM on 10/28/2011

My heart regulator(Toporol XL) is also a blood pressure med. I've been taking it in the evening for about 5 or 6 years. It makes me feel sleepy, too, so that's helpful at bedtime. This is news?

[jpfuller76]

07:16 AM on 10/29/2011

Might want to check with your physician about the XL. My physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital got me off of that 3 years ago because the research showed it not as effective and that taking two a day with one at night was the best way to control. Maybe that is why they are the number one hospital in the world.

[JiveNJingle]

01:34 PM on 11/03/2011

I also take Inderal at 4pm, too. Take 150mg of Toprol XL. I was up to 200mg, but reduced to 150 with the Inderal. However, I will ask the doc, thanks.

[hsena]

09:45 PM on 10/28/2011

i take my bp meds morning and evening. when i get up my bp is116/60 and even later in the afternoon it is 120/65

[ejljr]

09:13 PM on 10/28/2011

Oh this is a nice story! Glad to read about this. I have high blood pressure. But, what did Huff Po leave out? As with any story about research, Huff Po should have ended the story with "SEE YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR FIRST BEFORE TRYING THIS!" You should know better! Too many people will think this to be the gospel and decide to follow it! Could Huff Po/AOL withstand a sudden onslaught of suits filed against them by people who followed what the article said?

[colliben]

09:02 PM on 10/28/2011

For most of my adult life my BP has been in the 130-35 /90 some odd. I always get a comment from different DR's. that my BP is a little high. I am a private pilot as well and have to have a flight physical; same comment. A friend told me about appricot seeds. They are cheap and I eat every morning on the way to work a small handfull. After about 60 days my blood pressure is 116/80 or so. Could'nt believe it but my cardiologist checked it 2 weeks apart. I was taking altace and it was tearing me up with dizzy spells. I hang on the outside of buildings for a living. Being dizzy is a prescription for an accident. Do the research on nuts and take them for 60 days. If it does you no good throw them away.
It's not like this is an advertisement. By the way I am 65.

[duet2it]

11:33 PM on 10/28/2011

I will give it a try. nothing to loose.

[rymic]

08:05 PM on 10/28/2011

Oh no, you better tell my doctor!

[fmirabelli]

08:00 PM on 10/28/2011

Nearly all BP medications are supposed to be taken at night, as last dose, related to hypertension from occurring during sleep and causing a heart attack.

[janeyre]

06:35 PM on 10/28/2011

You guys, gals are great... Some very good comments offered here... Peace to each of you...

[wally12345]

05:18 PM on 10/28/2011

just take the pill. morning , noon , or night

[pasthecrablegs]

03:11 PM on 10/28/2011

My pill is supposed to work for 24 hours, so why would it matter when I took it?

[Darter75]

12:34 PM on 10/29/2011

Good question. Also wondering about diuretics in BP medicine. If taken at night wouldn't that make one have to get up at night for bathroom?

[pasthecrablegs]

05:20 PM on 10/29/2011

Oh yes. I don't think getting up to go to the bathroom all night is going to help my blood pressure.

[roundabout1963]

12:46 PM on 10/28/2011

It took years and many tries before my doctors finally found the right combination of pills to control my blood pressure, and they seem to work just fine when I take them first thing in the morning... When I remember to take them, that is. Taking a diuretic before bed would just make me have to get up a couple times to go to the bathroom, and that aggrivation would just jack the BP back up again.

[artstnmtn1]

12:39 PM on 10/28/2011

what is the name of the bp drug that causes arousal. thought they did the exact opposite?

[ssnwbrd]

03:37 PM on 10/28/2011

Most ACE types have a positive effect on libido. Losartan and Lisinopril are two.

[mebemommee06]

07:06 PM on 10/28/2011

I take lisinopril. but heck nothing arouses me anymore..

[duet2it]

11:40 PM on 10/28/2011

Lisinopril made me itch, needed a monkey just to scratch me all over.