Sleep Extension for High Blood Pressure

(STITCH Trial)

This trial tests whether longer sleep can lower high blood pressure and improve heart health. Participants will either receive assistance to extend their sleep using tools like a Fitbit and coaching or receive general health education (also known as patient education or telehealth education). It is ideal for adults with high blood pressure who sleep less than 7 hours a night and use a smartphone. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods to enhance heart health through improved sleep.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does allow participants who are on a stable dose of antihypertensive medications for more than 8 weeks.

Research shows that extending sleep time is generally well-tolerated by participants. Studies have found that this method, which involves sleeping more each night, usually doesn't cause negative side effects. Instead, it aims to improve sleep duration and help lower high blood pressure.

Participants in past studies on sleep extension have not reported significant negative effects. The main goal is to increase sleep, which can lead to better overall health. This is especially important for people with high blood pressure, as insufficient sleep is linked to a higher risk of hypertension and heart disease. The process usually includes using tools like a Fitbit and receiving advice from coaches, which have been safe and helpful for participants.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores non-pharmaceutical ways to manage high blood pressure through sleep extension and health education. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medication like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, this approach focuses on behavioral changes. The sleep extension intervention is unique because it combines technology, like fitbits, with personalized coaching to encourage longer sleep duration. Meanwhile, the health education component aims to empower participants with knowledge and support to make healthier lifestyle choices. This trial could open new doors for managing high blood pressure by emphasizing lifestyle modifications rather than medication.

Research has shown that getting more sleep can help lower blood pressure. One study found that people who slept longer had significantly lower blood pressure in the morning. Another study demonstrated that sleeping more increased total sleep time and lowered blood pressure throughout the day. In this trial, participants in the sleep extension group will receive interventions to increase sleep duration, potentially offering an easy way to control high blood pressure. This method focuses on improving sleep quality, which can benefit heart health.¹²³⁶⁷