A large new study from the University of Leeds has found that people with long-term inflammatory diseases who take oral steroids are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
This is important because high blood pressure—also called hypertension—can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, strokes, and kidney damage. Right now, one in five adults around the world has high blood pressure.
The study looked at more than 71,000 patients from 389 medical clinics in England. All the patients had chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions often require oral steroids to control inflammation and manage symptoms.
The researchers found that about 25,000 of these patients developed high blood pressure during the study. What stood out was a clear pattern: the more oral steroids a patient had taken over time, the more likely they were to develop high blood pressure.
This is known as a “dose-response” relationship, which means the risk goes up as the dose or length of treatment increases.
Although earlier studies have suggested that steroids might raise blood pressure, the results were not always consistent. This new research is stronger because it used a large group of people and tracked them over time, making the findings more reliable.
Oral steroids can be very useful for controlling serious health problems, but this study shows they may carry more risks than we thought—especially when used for a long time or at higher doses. The researchers suggest that doctors should keep a close eye on the blood pressure of patients who take these medications regularly.
This study is also a good reminder for patients to monitor their own health. People with chronic inflammation already face a higher risk of heart disease. Adding high blood pressure makes things even worse, so it’s important to reduce that risk as much as possible.
There are many steps people can take to protect their heart health. Staying at a healthy weight reduces strain on the heart. Getting regular exercise, like walking or swimming, helps improve blood flow.
Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products while cutting back on salt and unhealthy fats also makes a big difference.
It’s also important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol, since both can raise blood pressure and damage blood vessels. Managing stress through deep breathing, yoga, or spending time with loved ones can help too.
Regular check-ups allow doctors to catch any signs of high blood pressure early and begin treatment before problems get worse.
Even with a healthy lifestyle, some people still need medication to control their blood pressure. If you take oral steroids often or are concerned about your blood pressure, talk to your doctor. They can help you find the best ways to stay healthy.
This important study was led by Dr. Mar Pujades-Rodriguez and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It adds to growing awareness that while oral steroids can be life-changing for people with chronic inflammatory conditions, they should be used carefully and monitored closely by doctors.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about high blood pressure treatment: ARBs vs. ACE inhibitors and blood pressure response to exercise can predict future heart disease.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about This daily food is very important for blood pressure and heart health and Common blood pressure medication may have harmful side effects.
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