A new study from the University of Southampton has revealed a surprising connection between throat problems and blood pressure.
The research, published in the medical journal JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, found that people with throat issues may have a harder time controlling their blood pressure.
This happens because their baroreflex—the body’s natural safety system that keeps blood pressure steady—doesn’t work as well. Normally, the baroreflex helps prevent us from fainting when we stand up or move suddenly by adjusting heart rate and blood vessel tone.
It is a key part of the autonomic nervous system, which manages automatic body functions like breathing, digestion, and blood pressure control.
The study, led by Professor Reza Nouraei at the University of Southampton, suggests that the vagus nerve may play a key role in this issue. The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the abdomen and is responsible for controlling many vital functions, including heart rate, digestion, and throat reflexes.
Professor Nouraei explained that when someone has throat problems, the vagus nerve may focus its energy on protecting the throat, making it less able to help regulate blood pressure.
“Our survival depends on the throat separating air and food passages when we swallow,” said Professor Nouraei. “The throat uses delicate reflexes to do this, but when these reflexes are disturbed, it can affect how well the body controls blood pressure.”
Throat problems can come from a number of causes, including acid reflux, viral infections such as COVID-19, or irritation of the nerves in the throat.
Symptoms like a constant cough or the feeling of a lump in the throat are signs that the nerves might be overreacting. When that happens, the body prioritizes protecting the airway, which may interfere with blood pressure regulation.
To understand this better, researchers studied two groups of people. One group of 23 patients had throat-related issues, known as aerodigestive problems. The other group of 30 patients had digestive issues affecting the stomach and esophagus.
While acid reflux was common in both groups, those with throat problems had higher resting heart rates, lower blood pressure, and weaker baroreflex sensitivity. This means their bodies were less effective at maintaining stable blood pressure.
Professor Nouraei noted that throat problems have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people now experience lingering throat irritation, coughing, or voice changes after infections. He believes that these symptoms could be linked to changes in the vagus nerve and its ability to manage multiple body functions.
The study’s findings are important because they show that people with throat issues might be at a higher risk for heart problems such as heart attacks and strokes. When baroreflex sensitivity is reduced, the heart and blood vessels can’t respond as quickly to changes, which may put extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
This research adds to growing interest in the vagus nerve’s role in overall health. The vagus nerve doesn’t just regulate blood pressure—it also influences mood, stress levels, breathing, and digestion. When it is overworked by throat problems, other parts of the body may suffer.
Professor Nouraei says this discovery should encourage doctors to look at throat symptoms more seriously. “If throat problems are taking up the vagus nerve’s resources, fixing them could help the nerve function better throughout the body,” he said.
“This study encourages us to think more holistically about patient care. If throat issues are affecting blood pressure and overall health, they deserve more attention.”
The research team now plans to study how long-term throat problems affect the autonomic nervous system and whether treating throat conditions can help restore healthy blood pressure control. Their goal is to find better ways to protect both throat health and heart health in the future.
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