Can sleep affect high blood pressure?

This paper reviewed the link between sleep and high blood pressure. 

Diet changes and physical activity are the main lifestyle changes used to manage high blood pressure. Studies suggest that an adequate amount of quality sleep could also prevent and treat hypertension (high blood pressure). 

Experimental studies show that blood pressure increased after nights where sleep was restricted. Sleep deprivation is stressful on the body and this could lead to increased body fluid. 

One analysis of various studies found that short sleep duration was associated with increased risk for occurrence of hypertension.

In young and middle-aged adults, a number of studies found significant association between short sleep duration and hypertension. One study found that a combination of short sleep duration and sleep disorders was associated with hypertension. However, there were still small number of studies that found no association between sleep duration and hypertension.

In elderly adults, one study found an association between sleep duration and hypertension.

Studies indicate that there is a greater association between short sleep duration and hypertension in females.

Insomnia together with short sleep duration has been shown to significantly increase the risk for occurrence of hypertension. Shift work, which affects the timing of sleep, has been shown to be a risk factor for hypertension.

The authors concluded that there is strong evidence that sleep duration impacts blood pressure and hypertension. 

It is hard to accurately measure sleep duration, and many other factors as well could affect results. 

Discuss with your doctor methods for improving sleep habits.