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Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping

Meaning

Nocturnal blood pressure dipping is the normal, expected physiological phenomenon characterized by a measurable and significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the period of nighttime sleep compared to the daytime waking hours. A healthy, normal dip is typically defined as a decrease of 10% to 20%, reflecting the necessary physiological rest of the cardiovascular system. The absence of this expected nocturnal drop, clinically termed non-dipping, is a powerful prognostic indicator strongly associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke and kidney damage.