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Nocturnal Hypertension

Meaning

Nocturnal Hypertension is a clinical condition defined by an abnormally elevated blood pressure measurement that occurs specifically during the typical hours of sleep. Under normal physiological conditions, blood pressure should exhibit a nocturnal dip of 10-20% below daytime values, reflecting the body’s shift to a parasympathetic, restorative state. The absence of this expected dip or, worse, an actual increase in blood pressure during the night is a significant prognostic indicator for cardiovascular risk, independent of daytime readings. This finding necessitates the use of 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) to accurately diagnose and manage the underlying autonomic and hormonal dysregulation.