Blood pressure doesn't drop at night? The cause may be in the kidneys

A study from the University of Waterloo in Canada offers an explanation for blood pressure that remains high even during sleep: a lack of coordination between the biological clock and kidney activity and salt clearance may disrupt the natural drop in blood pressure. The study is based on a computer model, not a clinical trial in patients.

A new study from the University of Waterloo in Canada, published in the journal PLOS ONE, offers an explanation for blood pressure that does not drop properly at night. In most people, blood pressure drops by 10% to 20% during sleep, but in some of the population (Non-dippers) the expected decrease does not occur, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. Researcher Anita Layton developed a computer model that integrates kidney activity, blood vessels, the nervous system, and the hormonal system throughout the day. The findings showed that when the timing of sodium clearance in the kidneys is not synchronized with other systems, the natural drop in blood pressure during sleep may be impaired. People with increased salt sensitivity may be particularly vulnerable to such a lack of coordination, especially under conditions of high sodium intake. However, the study is based on a computer model, not a clinical trial in patients, and therefore no conclusions should be drawn about changing medication times or meal schedules.