In October 2019 researchers from Spain assessed whether taking blood pressure tablets at bedtime was better at reducing risk of cardiovascular disease than being taken on awakening. A total of 19,084 individuals with hypertension (10,614 men, 8,470 women; average age 61 years) were involved in the study. 9,552 individuals were requested to take their all their daily blood pressure medication at bedtime whilst 9,532 were asked to take all their medication upon awakening. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed for 48 hours at the start of the study and at every scheduled clinic visit throughout an average follow-up period of 6 years. During follow-up, 1,752 individuals experienced either a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, underwent coronary revascularization or died from cardiovascular disease. Results showed that those taking their blood pressure tablets at bedtime had better blood pressure control, had improved blood pressure levels whilst asleep and had a lower incidence of major cardiovascular disease events than those who took their medication in the morning.
Hermida RC et al. Bedtime hypertension treatment improves cardiovascular risk reduction: the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial. Eur Heart J. 2019 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]