A reverse dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern refers to a condition where an individual's average nighttime blood pressure is higher than their average daytime blood pressure.
Typically, healthy blood pressure naturally drops during the night, a phenomenon known as "dipping." This nocturnal fall in blood pressure is considered a normal and protective physiological response. However, when this pattern is inverted, and nighttime readings exceed daytime levels, it is recognized as a reverse dipper pattern.
Understanding Blood Pressure Dipping Patterns
Circadian blood pressure patterns describe how blood pressure changes over a 24-hour cycle. These patterns are typically categorized based on the percentage of systolic blood pressure (SBP) fall during the night compared to the day.
Here's a breakdown of the main blood pressure dipping classifications:
| Blood Pressure Pattern | Nocturnal Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Change | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dipper | 10%–20% fall | Considered a normal and healthy nocturnal blood pressure reduction. |
| Extreme Dipper | >20% fall | A significantly larger drop in nocturnal blood pressure, sometimes associated with specific risks. |
| Nondipper | <10% fall | An insufficient drop in nocturnal blood pressure, where BP remains relatively high at night. |
| Reverse Dipper | Average nighttime BP is higher than daytime BP | An abnormal pattern where blood pressure actually increases during sleep. |
The presence of a reverse dipper pattern is often a concern as it suggests an impaired or absent nocturnal BP fall, which can have implications for cardiovascular health.
