A new study in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension has found something important:
Long-lasting or widespread pain can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure — and this link is often ignored. The study suggests that managing pain properly is just as important as checking your blood pressure regularly.
What the Study Found
Researchers followed over 200,000 adults in the UK for about 13.5 years. They discovered a clear pattern:
The longer and wider the pain, the higher the risk of hypertension.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Short-term pain (less than 3 months): 10% higher risk
- Chronic localised pain: 20% higher risk
- Chronic widespread pain: 75% higher risk
Certain pain types were linked with particularly higher risks:
- Abdominal pain: 43% higher
- Headaches: 22% higher
- Neck/shoulder pain: 19% higher
Why Pain Raises Blood Pressure
The study shows two main reasons:
1. Inflammation
People with ongoing pain often have higher inflammation in the body, which can raise blood pressure.
2. Depression
Chronic pain can lead to depression — and depression itself is known to increase blood pressure.
These two factors together explain a large part of the connection between continuous pain and hypertension.
What Patients Should Do
If you live with chronic pain, here are some steps that can help:
- Check your blood pressure regularly
- Try multiple pain management methods, such as:
- physical therapy
- gentle exercise
- mindfulness or relaxation practices
- Pay attention to mood changes — seek help if you feel signs of depression
What Doctors Should Keep in Mind
Healthcare providers should:
- Treat patients with chronic pain as higher-risk for hypertension
- Check for both conditions during visits
- Be careful with pain medications like NSAIDs, which can raise blood pressure
