A study finds that sleep deprivation in teenagers may significantly increase their risk of high blood pressure, a major warning sign for future heart disease.

Teens who slept less than 7.7 hours in a sleep lab were nearly three times more likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to those who got sufficient rest.
Teens with both insomnia and short sleep (less than 7.7 hours) were five times more likely to develop stage 2 hypertension than well-rested peers.
Teens who reported insomnia but still slept at least 7.7 hours did not show a significant increase in the risk of elevated blood pressure or stage 2 hypertension.
Teen Sleep and Blood Pressure: A Hidden Risk?
Teenagers who don’t get enough sleep may face a higher risk of high blood pressure, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025. The conference, held March 6-9 in New Orleans, highlights the latest findings on public health, wellness, and lifestyle impacts.

The Dangers of Poor Sleep for Heart Health
Lack of sleep is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teenagers get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, yet most high school students average only 6.5 hours per weeknight.

These findings suggest the combination of insomnia and inadequate hours of sleep likely contributes to more severe conditions than lack of sleep alone, the researchers noted.

“While we need to explore this association in larger studies on teens, it is safe to say that sleep health matters for heart health, and we should not wait until adulthood to address it,” Fernandez-Mendoza said. “Not all teens who complain of insomnia symptoms are at risk for cardiovascular issues, however, monitoring their sleep duration objectively can help us identify those who have a more severe form of insomnia and are at-risk for heart problems.”

The Role of Sleep in Overall Heart Health
Improving one’s sleep health is something everyone can do to improve their cardiovascular health and is a key component of the Association’s Life’s Essential 8. The key components of Life’s Essential 8 include eating healthy food, being physically active, not smoking, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight and controlling cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

“Our findings are important because they call attention to the need to listen to teens who complain of disturbed sleep, to monitor and assess their sleep objectively and help them improve it in order to prevent heart problems early,” said the study’s first author Axel Robinson, a 17-year-old senior at Pelham Memorial High School in Pelham, New York.