Widespread Chronic Painโ Linked to Significantly Higher Risk of High Blood Pressure, New โขStudy finds
Glasgow, Scotland โฃ-โข Adults experiencing chronic pain across multiple areas of the body face a substantially increased risk of developing high bloodโข pressure, โขaccording to researchโค published today in โ Hypertension. Theโ study, analyzing data from over 200,000 U.S. adults,โค reveals a strong correlation between theโข extent and location of pain โขand the likelihood โofโ hypertension.
Researchers found that โฃindividuals with chronic, widespreadโฃ pain were โค75% more likely to have high blood pressure compared to those without pain. Even short-termโฃ painโฃ showed an association, increasing risk by 10%, while chronic pain localized to specific areas raised the risk by 20% – each compared to pain-free individuals.
the study further pinpointed regional โฃvariations in risk: โฃchronic abdominal pain was linked to aโ 43% increase, chronic โคheadaches to โค22%, โคchronic neck/shoulder painโ to 19%, chronicโข hip pain to 17%, and chronic back pain โto 16%.
Theโค research suggests that depression and inflammation play a key role in โฃthis connection, accounting for 11.3% and 0.4% of the observed high blood pressure cases, respectively.
“The more extensive the pain, the โhigher the risk of high bloodโข pressure,” explained โฃprof. Dr. Jill Pell from the University of Glasgow. “One โคreason for this is that chronicโ pain increases the risk ofโฃ depression, andโข depression in turn increases the risk of high blood pressure. thisโ suggests that early detection and treatment of depressionโ in people with painโฃ may help reduce their risk of high bloodโ pressure.”
This research underscores the importance of comprehensive pain management and mental health โsupport for individuals experiencing chronic pain, potentially โขoffering a preventative approach toโ cardiovascularโค health.
