University of Waterloo study links kidney rhythms to high nighttime blood pressure

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have identified a potential cause for elevated nighttime blood pressure, a condition known as being a ‘non-dipper.’ While most people experience a 10% to 20% drop in blood pressure during sleep to allow the heart and blood vessels to recover, non-dippers do not see this decrease, placing them at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death.

A study published in ‘PLOS One’ suggests that the issue may stem from a mismatch in the timing of biological rhythms. Specifically, even a small delay in how the kidneys process salt relative to other bodily systems can prevent blood pressure from dropping overnight.

Using sophisticated computer modeling, the research team, led by Dr. Anita Layton, examined how the internal clocks of various systems—including the kidneys, blood vessels, nervous system, and hormones—interact. The findings indicate that the synchronization of these 24-hour rhythms is as critical to cardiovascular health as the rhythms themselves.