A new study published in the journal Hypertension reveals that chronic pain may raise the risk of developing high blood pressure.
The research, based on health data from over 200,000 U.S. adults, found that people with long-lasting pain—especially pain that affects multiple areas of the body—were more likely to develop high blood pressure than those without pain or with short-term pain.
The researchers found that the more widespread the pain was, the greater the risk of high blood pressure. They also discovered that depression played a key role in this link. People with chronic pain were more likely to experience depression, and that depression further increased the risk of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems. In the U.S., nearly half of all adults have high blood pressure.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain—pain in areas like the back, knees, hips, or neck lasting at least three months—is the most common kind of chronic pain.
The researchers looked at the type, location, and amount of pain, and whether those factors were linked to high blood pressure. They also examined the roles of inflammation and depression, both of which are known to increase the risk of hypertension.
In this study, people filled out questionnaires to report where they felt pain and whether it had lasted more than three months. They also completed surveys that measured depression symptoms, and blood tests were used to check for signs of inflammation.
The study followed participants for an average of 13.5 years. During that time, nearly 10% developed high blood pressure. Compared to people who had no pain, those with chronic widespread pain had a 75% higher risk. Chronic localized pain was linked to a 20% higher risk, and even short-term pain came with a 10% increase in risk.
The study also broke down the risk based on where the pain was located. Chronic abdominal pain led to a 43% higher risk, chronic headaches raised the risk by 22%, neck or shoulder pain by 19%, hip pain by 17%, and back pain by 16%.
The researchers found that depression and inflammation explained some of the increased risk. Around 11.7% of the link between chronic pain and high blood pressure was due to these two factors.
Dr. Jill Pell, lead author of the study, said that health care providers need to recognize that people with chronic pain are at greater risk of high blood pressure. Early screening and treatment of depression could help lower that risk.
Dr. Daniel W. Jones, a heart health expert not involved in the study, noted that while it’s well known that pain can raise blood pressure in the short term, this study gives more information about how long-term pain may lead to lasting high blood pressure.
The findings suggest that treating pain and depression together could benefit heart health. It also raises questions about pain medications like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), which are known to raise blood pressure in some cases.
However, the study had limitations. Most participants were white, middle-aged or older, and living in the U.K., so the results might not apply to all people. Pain was self-reported, and blood pressure was only measured twice.
Still, this study offers important insights into how chronic pain and mental health can affect physical health. It shows the need for a whole-person approach to care—one that considers both pain and emotional wellbeing in preventing and managing high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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