Study Finds Quality Sleep Helps Teens At Risk
High blood pressure is becoming an increasingly concerning issue among teens in the U.S., though it remains relatively uncommon. Recent research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that maintaining healthy sleep habits may help prevent hypertension in adolescents.
According to the study’s lead author, Augusto César Ferreira De Moraes, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, sleep disruption can negatively affect the body’s stress response. This includes an increase in stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to higher blood pressure levels.
The study highlights the growing prevalence of hypertension among U.S. adolescents, noting that 1.7% of teenagers were diagnosed with high blood pressure between 2018 and 2020, with the rate rising to 2.9% by 2020-2022. The researchers examined data from over 3,300 teens who wore Fitbits to track their daily activity and sleep patterns, including both total sleep time and REM sleep.
The findings revealed that adolescents who consistently got the recommended 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night had a 37% lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who didn’t meet the sleep guidelines. Notably, factors like neighborhood noise levels did not appear to influence the results.
To promote better sleep, co-author Martin Ma, a graduate student, recommended strategies such as sticking to regular sleep schedules, limiting screen time before bed, and ensuring a quiet, relaxing environment for sleep. Although noise did not directly affect blood pressure in this study, Ma emphasized that creating a peaceful sleep setting is crucial for overall health.
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