Light affects blood pressure but not heart rate. Activity/sleep influence SBP/DBP rhythms unevenly.

What is it about?

Body Temperature, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate circadian rhythms are affected by light and activity/sleep differently and some of these effects seem to be gender-specific. Activity level substantially elevates Systolic Blood Pressure (BP), but not Diastolic BP against background of endogenous circadian rhythm component. Sleep, on the other hand, lowers nocturnal DBP, but has no effect on SBP. Ambient light prominently influence SBP, has minor effect on DBP and has no direct effect on HR.

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Why is it important?

Distinct, gender-specific responses of SBP, DBP and HR to activity, sleep and ambient light do reflect fundamental differences in the circadian control of various cardiovascular functions. Furthermore, these results are important for the elaboration of updated reference standards, the interpretation of rhythm disorders and for personalized chronotherapeuticapproaches to prevent adverse cardiovascular events more effectively.