Sleep and Circadian Mechanisms in Hypertension

Sleep and Circadian Mechanisms in Hypertension

This study is a mechanistic clinical trial designed to investigate the effects of the circadian system and sleep on non-dipping blood pressure (BP) in people with hypertension (HTN).

This study is a mechanistic clinical trial designed to study the effects of the circadian system and sleep on non-dipping blood pressure (BP) in people with hypertension (HTN). Investigators will study participants with dipping and non-dipping hypertension. All participants will partake in all experiments. First, investigators will assess sleep in the participants' home environment using unattended polysomnography. Participants will then complete a 5-day overnight forced desynchrony laboratory protocol to uncover circadian rhythms (Constant Routine). The second experiment is a randomized crossover protocol. Two trials (Overnight Sleep and Rested Wakefulness) will be completed in randomized order to separate the effects of sleep on non-dipping blood pressure while assessing nighttime cardiovascular mechanisms. Finally, investigators will pilot test if 2 weeks of sleep regularization impacts 24-hour BP.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 25-64
• BMI 18.5-42kg/m2
• Hypertension (average resting blood pressure between 130/80 mmHg and 160/100 mmHg)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Over 5 pack-years of smoking;
• Prior shift work within 12 months prior to the study;
• Travel greater than three time zones for at least 3 months;
• History of heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or history of bypass surgery, angioplasty, or previous myocardial infarction;
• Acute or chronic diseases (except hypertension) that may affect outcome measures;
• History of psychological conditions;
• Sleep disorders, like severe sleep apnea, insomnia, etc.;
• Prescription medications (Contraceptives and anti-hypertensive medications are permissible);
• History of Illicit drug use and alcohol dependency;
• 30 days free of cannabis use prior to the study;
• Pregnancy;
• Upper cut-off of 160/100 mmHg for BP