Your blood pressure should drop by 10–20% when you sleep: Why the ‘night-time dip’ matters

Cardiologist Dr Alok Chopra explained on Instagram that a normal blood pressure reading during the day may not reflect the full picture. Our blood pressure (BP) should typically drop by around 10% when we sleep. Dr Dipak Patil, Consultant Cardiology at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, elaborated on this "night-time dip." This reduction occurs because our bodies are less active at night and the heart doesn't need to work as hard.

If the drop is less than 10%, it's called a "non-dipping" pattern, which may indicate the cardiovascular system isn't getting the proper rest it needs. Notably, someone might have normal daytime BP readings but still experience high BP while asleep. Persistent non-dipping patterns and consistently elevated night-time BP can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney damage.

Conditions like broken sleep, heavy snoring, or feeling unusually tired despite getting enough rest can affect this night-time dip. Certain measures like improving sleep quality, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, reducing salt intake, and adhering to prescribed blood pressure medication can help manage BP. Even if daytime BP is normal, it's crucial to address concerns about night-time BP and sleep disturbances with a healthcare professional.