Nocturia may be a sign of high blood pressure

Nocturia is not only caused by urinary problems but also by systemic diseases such as hypertension. Trips to the toilet at night are a sign of high blood pressure and/or excess fluid in your body, suggests a new study presented at the 83rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS 2019).

The Watari study examined the association between nocturia and hypertension in residents of Watari who had an annual health check in 2017. Blood pressure was measured and information on nocturia was obtained by questionnaire. Participants with blood pressure 140/90 mmHg or higher or prescribed antihypertensive drugs were considered hypertensive.

Nocturia (one or more nocturia events per night) was significantly associated with 40% greater chance of having hypertension after controlling for possible confounders. And, as the number of nocturia events per night increased, so did the risk of hypertension. Nearly 70% of the 1,882 participants who answered the questionnaire had nocturia.

However, the authors also caution that this association may be influenced by factors such as lifestyle, salt intake, ethnicity, and genetic background.

(ESC News Release, March 30, 2019)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA