Picture this: you helped your family member take a reading of their blood pressure last night. It was 149\/91mmHg. Now, this morning it is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
166\/100mmHg.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that\u2026 normal? – you might ask. Should we be concerned? Or really<\/em>, concerned?<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those with hypertension and their families, seeing a sudden spike in blood pressure starts to sound alarm bells. So, today we\u2019ll discuss the reasons why high blood pressure in the morning can occur and when it signals danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The morning surge is a temporary increase in blood pressure. Typically, this takes place between the hours of 6 AM and 12 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore the literature, and you\u2019ll soon find a theme – the morning blood pressure surge is a significant risk factor associated with cardiovascular disease and acute medical events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s important to note that higher blood pressure during the morning hours is to be expected\u2026 to a point. Confused?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us explain. As the Mayo Clinic describes, a normal daily blood pressure pattern<\/a> looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Say somebody has a healthy blood pressure reading of 120\/80 mm Hg. If their systolic blood pressure rose upon waking from 120 to 123 or their diastolic blood pressure rose from 80 to 82, that\u2019s normal. No worries there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if somebody else who\u2019s already classified as having hypertension experiences an exaggerated morning surge in blood pressure, that\u2019s when it can indicate a real problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read more about the daily variations of BP here:<\/strong> Does the time of day affect blood pressure?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Numerous factors make the morning surge in blood pressure more probable and problematic for certain individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few factors<\/a> that can have an impact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) and strokes are most likely to happen in the 6 AM – 12 PM hours. For older people with hypertension in particular, advanced cardiovascular disease is associated with an increased morning blood pressure surge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elderly people with high blood pressure aren\u2019t the only ones at risk though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research<\/a> in the Journal of Hypertension describes how the morning blood pressure surge isn\u2019t merely a consequence of hypertension. It\u2019s causal and can lead to organ damage, atherosclerosis, or trigger cardiovascular events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a reason why high blood pressure has the unfortunate label of being a \u201csilent killer<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noticeable symptoms can be subtle or even non-existent. This makes it hard for both the person with hypertension and their family members to know when a crisis is at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, here are seven of the more obvious (and ominous) morning symptoms that could indicate a surge in blood pressure is out of control:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No doubt, these symptoms can result from different health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a bout of nausea may be relatively harmless if you ate something that upset your stomach. But if you or a loved one has high blood pressure and experiences 2-3 of the above symptoms together, don\u2019t dismiss them. Contact your medical practitioner or an emergency line to get checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Okay, so you or someone you care for has raised blood pressure. You also find it\u2019s higher in the morning. Now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As stated, if the jump in systolic or diastolic blood pressure is critical or unexpected, this may require urgent medical attention. If the increase isn\u2019t large, it may be more appropriate to consider which morning habits you can tweak to lower blood pressure over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A protein-packed and fibre-rich breakfast does a couple of great things for your body. First, it keeps you feeling full for longer, so you\u2019re less likely to snack on unhealthy foods in between meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, research<\/a> shows that increasing dietary fibre intake both lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eight glasses. That\u2019s the amount of water per day we\u2019re advised to drink each day. Most people don\u2019t meet this goal. Not only does drinking a couple of glasses of water in the morning help towards your daily target, but it also flushes out excess sodium. And as we know, consuming too much sodium<\/a> is known to increase blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Topping up with water in the morning also fills your stomach, meaning you may be less tempted to go straight from bed to the coffee machine. Failing that, detox tea or coffee is a healthier way to start the day for those with hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Easier said than done, we know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stress can build in the morning at the thought of a long day ahead with lots of to-dos to fight your way through. Exercise is your stress-busting friend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical activity before midday will burn calories and support your cardiovascular health, as well as get rid of built-up emotional tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a morning workout isn\u2019t realistic for mobility reasons or a lack of time, there are other ways to de-stress. A 5-minute meditation, a gentle 10-minute walk with no distractions, or a series of deep breaths can all help to get your blood pressure down. The Hilo Band can help you see the difference this makes. Its built-in step counter automatically tracks your daily activity. You can see in the app how your morning walk helps your blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people with hypertension are prescribed medication by their doctor to keep their blood pressure under control. Yet, medication adherence can be a struggle. In studies, less than 50%<\/a> of people take their medications as prescribed. The most common reasons for this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forgetfulness and procrastination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are on a blood pressure medication – or caring for someone who is – it\u2019s vital to have a system in place that provides reminders to keep taking it according to the correct schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health analytics tools are progressing at a rapid rate, so don\u2019t be surprised if the \u201cold-school\u201d blood pressure cuff<\/a> gets phased out in the years ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No question, the cuff is a useful device. It\u2019s better than not measuring blood pressure at all. But there are<\/em> clear flaws in the method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For one, the readings often aren\u2019t a true reflection of average blood pressure. Many people feel more on edge or anxious before their blood pressure is measured, causing it to be higher than normal. Even seated position and bladder fullness can impact the readings!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another flaw is the timing. Taking a reading in the middle of the night (when blood pressure is usually lowest) isn\u2019t possible without setting an alarm to wake up and disturbing sleep. It\u2019s not a feasible long-term strategy. The Hilo Band solves this problem. It automatically tracks your sleep duration. It connects this data to your blood pressure trends overnight, helping to spot issues like nighttime hypertension without waking you up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, what can you use instead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wear the Hilo Band<\/a> for 24\/7 blood pressure monitoring, all on autopilot. It\u2019s validated by five clinical trials and 20+ peer-reviewed papers with more than 50 million successful blood pressure measurements to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you ask\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike other blood pressure measurement methods, using Hilo Band is super easy! Getting started is simple. You just complete four quick cuff measurements over your first four days. After that, the Hilo Band provides continuous readings, 24\/7. You only need to recalibrate once a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you are concerned your or a family member\u2019s blood pressure may surge in the morning, take away the guesswork and get the round-the-clock insights you need. Feel free to explore Hilo further here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer: If you are concerned about your blood pressure, it is best to speak to your doctor. They can advise on the best way to manage your blood pressure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Morning Blood Pressure Surge: Therapeutic Implications, <\/a>National Library of Medicine, 14 Feb 2008 – https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles-PMC8110086<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Morning blood pressure surge is associated with arterial stiffness and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive seniors, American Physiological Society, 15 Sep 2013 – https:\/\/journals.physiology.org\/doi-ajpheart-00254-2013<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The morning blood pressure surge is a dynamic and challenging concept, Journal of Hypertension, 29 Dec 2011 – https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/hypertension-the-morning-blood-pressure-surge-a-dynamic<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?, Mayo Clinic, 24 Jun 2022 – https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions-high-blood-pressure-faq-20058115<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n High Blood Pressure-Understanding the Silent Killer, Food and Drug Administration, 8 Jan 2023 – https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs-high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is \u201cThe Morning Surge\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why High Blood Pressure in The Morning Affects Some People More Severely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7 of The Main Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in The Morning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5 Strategies to Consider If You Find Your Blood Pressure Is Higher in The Morning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are five to try out:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) Ace your breakfast.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2) Drink 1 or 2 glasses of water in the first hour of waking (and avoid caffeine if you can bear to!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3) Stress less, move more.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4) Keep up with your medication.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5) Don\u2019t rely on unreliable methods of measuring blood pressure.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n<\/a>Sources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n