High Blood Pressure in the Morning

by Dr. Stephen Sinatra

Filed Under: Blood Pressure, Q&As, Heart Health

Last Reviewed 12/21/2012

In the mornings, I always get high blood pressure readings, while my readings are normal in the evening. What could cause morning high blood pressure?

 

Serum cortisol—which activates the autonomic nervous system and can drive up blood pressure readings—peaks in the early morning hours.

Researchers speculate that the higher incidence of sudden cardiac death in the early hours of Saturday mornings and Monday mornings may be due to excessive cortisol levels at that time. So ask your doctor to check your levels with a 24-hour salivary cortisol test (samples are saved every four hours for 24 hours).

WATCH: How to Properly Take Your Blood Pressure at Home


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Meet Dr. Sinatra

Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a highly respected and sought-after cardiologist and nutritionist with more than 30 years of clinical practice, research, and study. His integrative approach to heart health focuses on reducing inflammation in the body and maximizing the heart's ability to produce and use energy. More About Dr. Sinatra

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