A large new study from the University of Leeds has found that people who take oral steroids for long-term inflammatory diseases are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
This is important because high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
The study looked at over 71,000 patients from 389 general practices in England. All of them had chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or lupus. These illnesses often require treatment with oral steroids, which help reduce inflammation and control symptoms.
Researchers found that nearly 25,000 of these patients developed high blood pressure during the study.
They noticed a clear pattern: the more oral steroids a person had taken over time, the higher their chances of getting high blood pressure. This kind of pattern is called a “dose-response” relationship, which means that more medicine leads to a higher risk.
Although earlier studies have hinted at this link, results have not always been clear. This new study offers stronger evidence because it followed a large number of people over time and carefully tracked their medicine use and health.
Oral steroids can be very helpful for people with inflammation, but this study shows that taking them for a long time, especially in higher doses, might come with more risks than we thought. That’s why doctors are now being encouraged to keep a close watch on the blood pressure of patients who use these drugs regularly.
People with long-term inflammatory diseases are already at higher risk for heart problems, and adding high blood pressure can make things even worse. That’s why it’s important to check blood pressure regularly—especially for those taking oral steroids.
There are many simple ways to help lower the risk of high blood pressure. Staying at a healthy weight takes pressure off your heart and blood vessels.
Being active—through walking, biking, or swimming—can help your heart stay strong. Eating a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy can make a big difference, especially if you avoid too much salt and unhealthy fats.
It’s also wise to avoid smoking and to limit alcohol. Both of these habits can raise blood pressure and damage your heart over time. Managing stress is another good step. Relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, or spending time with friends and family can help keep your body and mind healthy.
Even with a healthy lifestyle, some people may still need medications to manage their blood pressure. If you take oral steroids regularly, talk to your doctor about ways to protect your heart and keep your blood pressure in check.
This important research was led by Dr. Mar Pujades-Rodriguez and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It reminds us that while oral steroids are powerful tools for treating chronic illnesses, they should be used carefully and followed by regular checkups.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about This alcohol treatment could help treat high blood pressure and How blood pressure changes with age.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about Intensive blood pressure treatment for older adults may harm heart and kidneys and What you should know about high blood pressure medications.
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