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The effect of mild depression on blood pressure (BP) was assessed in 116 Japanese (32–79 years). As compared to non-depressive (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15 score <5) subjects, mild depressives (GDS-15 score: 1–15) had shorter sleep duration (p = 0.021), lower subjective quality of life (health:p = 0.016; life satisfaction:p < 0.001; and happiness:p < 0.001), and higher 7-d systolic BP (p < 0.05). “Masked non-dipping” (dipping on day 1, but non-dipping on at least 1 of the following 6 d) was more frequent among depressive than non-depressive normotensives (p = 0.008). Among-day BP variability may underlie cardiovascular disease accompanying a key component of psychological depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]