Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
Published on: June 13, 2025
Nocturnal blood pressure changes in patients with restless legs syndrome
M H Pennestri1, J Montplaisir, R Colombo
1Sleep Disorders Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Objectives:
To assess heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) changes associated with periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) with or without EEG signs of arousal in subjects with primary restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Methods:
Ten patients with RLS (4 women, aged 47.3 +/- 13.5 years) underwent one night of polysomnography along with noninvasive beat-to-beat BP monitoring. Ten PLMS with microarousals (PLMS-MA) and 10 PLMS without microarousals (PLMS-noMA) were analyzed in each subject. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) were measured within a 25-beat temporal window comprising 10 beats before and 15 beats after onset of each movement. PLMS-related BP changes were assessed by repeated measures one-way analysis of variance. BP changes associated with PLMS-MA and PLMS-noMA were compared by paired t-tests. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between cardiovascular changes and clinical and polysomnographic variables.
Results:
BP increased significantly in association with all PLMS (on average, SBP 22 mm Hg, DBP 11 mm Hg). BP changes associated with PLMS-MA were greater vs those associated with PLMS-noMA (p < 0.05). SBP and DBP changes increased with age and the duration of illness.
Conclusions:
Periodic leg movements-related repetitive nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations could contribute to the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with restless legs syndrome, especially in the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
