In a nutshell
This study aimed to see if taking blood pressure medication in the evening rather than in the morning could improve the blood pressure of patients with sleep apnea.
Some background
In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the muscles of the throat relax, and can obstruct breathing for a short period of time. People that suffer from OSA are often tired during the day. They can also have difficulty concentrating. It is common for patients with OSA to also be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Normally the blood pressure dips during sleep. In the mornings and during the day it will then go up again. In patients with OSA, the blood pressure does not fall as it should during the night. This increases the risk of cardiac arrest.
Sleep apnea is sometimes treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP is a treatment that involves wearing a ventilator during the night. It can be uncomfortable and is not a very popular treatment choice. Other solutions for sleep apnea and high blood pressure are needed.
Methods & findings
This study examined whether the timing of blood pressure medication could improve blood pressure in patients with newly diagnosed high blood pressure and OSA. This study included 41 patients. None of the patients experienced tiredness during the day due to OSA.
All patients were treated with either valsartan (Diovan) alone or a combination of valsartan and amlodipine (Norvasc; both blood pressure medications) to control their blood pressure. 20 patients also used a CPAP device. For the first 8 weeks, patients took their blood pressure medications in the morning. For the second 8 weeks, blood pressure medications were taken in the evening. Ambulatory blood pressure (small changes in blood pressure that occur throughout the day) was monitored over 24 hours.
Taking blood pressure medications during the evening helped to control night time blood pressure more effectively. Ambulatory blood pressure was controlled in 68% of patients with evening medication, compared to 54% with morning medication. 27% more people saw their blood pressure dip overnight with evening medication compared to morning medication.
CPAP use did not have a significant effect on blood pressure.
The bottom line
This study suggested that there is a benefit to taking your blood pressure medications in the evening rather than the morning.
The fine print
The study used mostly males. There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications, the same results might not be seen with all of them.
What’s next?
Discuss the findings with your doctor to see if taking your medications later in the day could be beneficial to you.
Published By :
Journal of hypertension
Date :
Oct 15, 2014
