If you normally take your blood pressure medication in the morning or afternoon, changing to an evening dosage instead may lower your potential for heart attack and stroke, according to researchers at the University of Vigo, Spain.

Researchers drew this conclusion following a five-year study of individuals on blood pressure medicine. Granted this isn’t a brand-new conclusion – some studies already exist suggesting that night time is the right time for blood pressure pills – but the Spanish study is the first of its kind to log fluctuating blood pressure regularly throughout the day and night, according to this article.

Dr. Ramon C. Hermida of the University of Vigo headed up the study, which divided participants into two groups:  those who took their blood pressure medication at night, and a second group that took their pills at breakfast or upon awakening. The intensive study included blood pressure readings every 20-30 minutes for 48 hours at the beginning and end of the study and then at least once a year for five years.

At the end of the study, bedtime pill-takers had better blood pressure readings. This could be because some people’s blood pressure does not “dip” at night as it should during periods of rest (non-”dippers” reportedly have worse luck with heart incidents and illnesses), so taking the medication at night could regulate sleep-time blood pressure better, the research suggested.

NOTE: Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your blood pressure or other medications. There may be a reason he’s asking you to take your pills at a time other than bedtime.

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