Are people with high blood pressure more prone to excessive sleepiness?
Disease description:
My grandfather is 60 years old this year. He usually takes very long naps in the afternoon and often falls asleep early while watching TV with us in the evening. I would like to ask the doctor whether people with high blood pressure tend to feel sleepy easily?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
People with high blood pressure indeed tend to exhibit symptoms of excessive sleepiness. Hypertension is primarily characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure. In the early stages, there may be no obvious symptoms, but as the condition progresses, symptoms such as headache and dizziness may appear. Excessive sleepiness might be related to complications caused by hypertension or side effects of medications used to treat hypertension. If blood pressure remains uncontrolled over a prolonged period, it can lead to excessive dilation of cerebral blood vessels and increased cerebral blood flow, thereby causing dizziness and a tendency to feel sleepy. Furthermore, long-term elevation of blood pressure may result in ischemia and degeneration of cerebral blood vessels, affecting blood supply to brain cells. When the brain experiences insufficient blood flow, it can lead to cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, further causing symptoms such as excessive sleepiness, dizziness, and nausea.
If hypertensive patients experience unusual drowsiness, they should seek medical attention promptly to adjust medications or treatment plans. They should also pay attention to rest and lifestyle modifications to alleviate symptoms. In daily life, it is recommended that individuals with high blood pressure regularly monitor their blood pressure and timely adjust their treatment plans to prevent various complications associated with elevated blood pressure.
