Blood Pressure Variability and Stress Hormone Alterations in Chronically Sleep-Deprived Adults: A Comparative Study
Blood Pressure Variability and Stress Hormones in Chronically Sleep-Deprived Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.03.01.0178Keywords:
Sleep deprivation, Blood pressure variability, Cortisol, Catecholamines, Cardiovascular riskAbstract
Background: Chronic sleep deprivation has emerged as a common lifestyle-related condition with important implications for cardiovascular health. Beyond absolute blood pressure values, blood pressure variability and neuroendocrine stress activation are increasingly recognized as early markers of cardiovascular risk. However, integrated clinical evidence linking chronic sleep deprivation with blood pressure variability and stress hormone alterations remains limited.
Objective: To assess and compare blood pressure variability and stress hormone levels in chronically sleep-deprived adults and individuals with normal sleep duration.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2025 to July 2025 at a tertiary care hospital. Eighty adults aged 25–55 years were enrolled and divided into two groups: chronically sleep-deprived participants (sleep duration <6 hours/night for ≥6 months; n=40) and normal sleepers (7–8 hours/night; n=40). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed to evaluate mean blood pressure and blood pressure variability indices. Morning fasting blood samples were collected for estimation of serum cortisol, plasma epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Statistical analysis included independent sample t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: Mean ambulatory blood pressure values were comparable between groups. However, systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability were significantly higher in chronically sleep-deprived adults (p<0.001). Stress hormone levels were markedly elevated in the sleep-deprived group (p<0.001). Blood pressure variability showed strong positive correlations with cortisol and norepinephrine levels.
Conclusion: Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with increased blood pressure variability and heightened neuroendocrine stress, indicating early cardiovascular dysregulation.
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