A new study suggests there may be a connection between acid reflux and high blood pressure.
This discovery could help doctors understand more about how to prevent high blood pressure by treating other common health issues.
The research was done by scientists at Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine in China and published in the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Instead of just looking at health records or surveys, the researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization. This method studies genetic information to find out if one health problem might actually cause another.
Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. It can cause a burning feeling in the chest, a sore throat, and sometimes damage to the lining of the throat over time.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your blood vessels stays high for too long. It usually doesn’t have clear symptoms, but it can lead to serious problems like heart attacks and strokes.
Because both GERD and high blood pressure are common, the researchers wanted to see if they were connected. They looked at 16 genetic markers that are linked to GERD. Using large genetic databases, they checked whether people who had a higher chance of getting GERD based on their genes were also more likely to have high blood pressure.
They found that having GERD increased the risk of high blood pressure by about 5.7%. While this increase is not huge, it was statistically significant. That means it’s unlikely to be due to chance.
The study didn’t explain exactly why acid reflux might raise blood pressure, but it gives researchers a reason to explore further. Possible links might include inflammation, stress, or changes in how the nerves work—things that can affect both digestion and blood pressure.
So what does this mean for your health? If you have acid reflux, it might be a good idea to manage your symptoms—not just for comfort, but also for heart health. Treating GERD could help lower your risk of high blood pressure in the future.
This study also shows how different parts of the body are connected. Problems in the digestive system might affect the heart in ways we didn’t expect. It’s another reminder that small health issues shouldn’t be ignored, especially when they could be linked to more serious problems later on.
People with GERD should talk to their doctor—not only to treat heartburn but also to ask how it might affect their overall health. A healthy lifestyle, including a good diet, exercise, and stress management, can also support both digestive and heart health.
More studies are needed, but this research adds to growing evidence that everything in the body is connected—and treating one issue may help prevent another.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that new research challenges conventional blood pressure guidelines and scientists make a big breakthrough in high blood pressure treatment.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies that widely used blood pressure drug may increase eye disease risk and common blood pressure drugs linked to cognitive decline.
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