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High Blood Pressure Linked To Common Sleep Problem

There’s a common sleep disorder that’s associated with a higher release of adrenaline.

According to researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, that’s what may increase the risk of high blood pressure for patients with this problem.

In a new study, the scientists found that patients with moderate to severe cases of restless legs syndrome (RLS) have a much higher risk of developing hypertension.

Tens of millions of people throughout the world suffer from RLS. In the U.S., it affects about 10% of the population.

RLS is considered a debilitating sleep disorder because it can cause insomnia and sleep disruption. But the symptoms can occur when you’re awake, too.

RLS creates an intense need to move your legs because of tingling, burning, creeping or crawling sensations. It’s these leg movements that are associated with the adrenaline release.

A 50% greater risk of high blood pressure occurred in patients with more than 30 periodic leg movements per hour of sleep.

Older age and a higher body mass index (BMI) also raised the risk of hypertension.

So the researchers believe that treatments for RLS should also try to stop periodic leg movements, especially in patients with a high risk for cardiovascular disease.

If you have RLS, you may want to consult your doctor about these cardiovascular risks.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at 12:10 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 Responses to “High Blood Pressure Linked To Common Sleep Problem”

  1. Jackie Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 11:49 am

    Didn’t know it was so serious. I’ll have to talk to my doctor.

  2. cyberalex Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 12:04 pm

    I thought restless leg syndrome was something the drug companies made up to sell more drugs. Just goes to show…

  3. Rita Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 12:11 pm

    I wouldn’t want to have RLS, but I wonder if all that movement makes you lose weight?

  4. Tammi Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 12:29 pm

    Could treating RLS stop the risk of high blood pressure or do you still have to take high blood pressure medicine?

  5. Debbie Fontana Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    Rita - I don’t know if the leg movements help you to lose weight. I don’t think it’s worth it if they do.

    Tammi - You’d need to see your doctor for an answer to that question. Everyone should be evaluated individually.

  6. Cassie Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 1:34 pm

    I know someone who has a really bad case of RLS. I gotta tell her about this.

  7. Stephanie Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pm

    My ocusin has RLS. Thanks for the info!

  8. Anita Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

    If RLS causes adrenaline to go through your body, I’d worry it might hurt my heart directly, too, not just through higher blood pressure.

  9. burdigalaecosse Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    That’s very interesting! And it actually makes a lot of sence!

  10. Laurie Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 5:33 pm

    I didn’t know you could have RLS during the day, too.

  11. Mary Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 9:43 pm

    I felt like cyberalex. I didn’t know this was real. It sounds serious and very uncomfortable.

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