Melatonin for Nocturnal High Blood Pressure?

Israeli scientists report an advance in treating a difficult form of high blood pressure which can also contribute to kidney failure – nocturnal hypertension. In people with normal blood pressure, there’s a dip during the night hours, when activity is at a minimum. And in most types of hypertension, blood pressure is lower at night than during the day (except when antihypertensive drugs are being taken). But in nocturnal hypertension – usually detected by 24-hour blood pressure monitoring – the pressure at night, instead of a dip there’s an increase in systolic and diastolic levels for some hours during the night.

There have been reports of a surge in excretion of melatonin in people with nocturnal hypertension, so it was logical to try the effects of a melatonin supplement in these subjects. Using average systolic nighttime pressure of 125 mmHg or more as a diagnostic point, 38 men were given 2 mg controlled-release melatonin before bedtime for 4 weeks. Melatonin treatment reduced the nocturnal systolic by an average of 9 mmHg and the diastolic by 3 mmHg, while the placebo had no effect.

Melatonin has been derided by physicians as being without effect. True, it’s not a good hypnotic, but it’s effective in some people with jet-lag, and now here’s another example, this time a medically-relevant use. One must just make sure that the substance comes from a reliable source, as its manufacture (like that of nearly all supplements) is unregulated.

Comments

[Lola Tuminello]

I use melatonin fairly regularly for sleep and it performs very well. However, never made the connection until now about the possiblity that the loss of melatonin from my body at night was causing my extreme b/p readings from about 1:00 A.M. until about 6:00 A.m. (nocturnal hypertension) Am currently taking Toprol and Diovan for my nocturnal hypertension, but last night my b/p at 1:30 A.M. was 176/82!!! I am really concerned about this as I don't see where my b/p medication is helping a lot.

[Bob Griffith]

Lola:
I suggest you print out the linked reference and take itto your doctor. He/she will know if you need to change your meds, or require further investigation. Good luck,
Bob G.

[Curious...]

I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has ever tested to see if taking melatonin on a regular basis inhibits the body's natural production of melatonin over the long term? If I recall correctly, there are certain hormone supplements that have this outcome; e.g, illegal steroids. I could be wrong of course, but am interested in knowing this since I've tried it about four or five times now and have gotten an some incredible nights of sleep. At the same time, I don't want to get hooked on something; i.e., I'd prefer to use it maybe a few times a year as opposed to on a regular basis. Any thoughts?