Understanding the critical link between sleep, sodium and hypertension

DALLAS, January 22, 2026 - Poor-quality sleep, high sodium intake and hypertension are three widespread health concerns affecting millions of people in the United States - and new evidence suggests they are more interconnected than previously understood. To raise awareness and encourage integrated care, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is launching a collaborative initiative with the Sleep Matters Initiative at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, to examine and address the combined effects of these health risks.

Together these organizations will create educational materials for health care professionals and patients to highlight the importance of quality sleep and healthy sodium intake as part of the American Heart Association's Hypertension, Sodium and Sleep Professional Education Initiative, with financial support from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The initiative will increase awareness of and improve cross-disciplinary care addressing the interplay between sleep, sodium intake and hypertension.

"This work is vital to our mission to improve cardiovascular health," said Mitch Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA, chief science officer for brain health and stroke and a past volunteer president of the American Heart Association. "By looking at the intersection of hypertension, sodium and sleep, we're addressing not just individual risk factors, but the structural and behavioral elements that connect them."

High sodium consumption can raise blood pressure and may also disrupt sleep, while inadequate or poor-quality sleep may contribute to hypertension and unhealthy dietary choices, creating a dangerous cycle.[1]^,[2]

"Brigham and Women's Hospital and the American Heart Association share a common interest in sleep health and the impact of sleep on a person's overall health and wellbeing. We are excited to collaborate on professional education to advance patient care and improve lives," said Charles Czeisler, Ph.D., M.D., F.R.C.P, chief of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Mass General Brigham and the Frank Baldino Jr., Ph.D. professor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

With sleep now recognized as a component of the Association's Life's Essential 8™ healthy living framework, this effort underscores both the Association's growing work around brain health-including sleep-- and the need to approach cardiovascular health holistically.

"Jazz is committed to raising awareness and supporting education on important health issues for people living with serious sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. We are proud to support this important education initiative," said Sarah McMahon, Ph.D., senior vice president and sleep franchise head at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The initiative materials will be included in the American Heart Association's Lifelong Learning professional education catalog.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association's overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

• Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
• Sleep Questions and Answers
• How to Reduce Sodium in Your Diet
• American Heart Association Support Network
• Sleep and Health Education
• Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Ericka Ellis: [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org