Research suggests a link between asthma and high blood pressure in adults and pregnancy, but more research is needed. Stress from poorly managed asthma can lead to hypertension. Pregnancy-induced asthma may also lead to hypertension. The connection between the two conditions is likely due to stress affecting blood pressure levels.
According to published research, there appears to be a connection between asthma and high blood pressure in adults, but very little research supports this connection in adolescents. Although the link between high blood pressure and allergic disease is suspected, more research is needed to establish a definitive explanation for the correlation. There is some evidence to suggest a relationship between asthma and high blood pressure in pregnancy, but only theories exist for the possible cause. Various correlations have been made associating asthma and high blood pressure medications with the development of one or the other condition, however further research needs to be done to provide definitive proof of the existence of correlations.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs, causing symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath. When this aggravation continues to occur, it places unnecessary stress on the body, inducing higher states of arousal in the nervous system. Any form of stress occurring in the body that induces physical arousal causes an increase in blood pressure. If this form of arousal continues, blood pressure levels can rise to undesirable levels and lead to a diagnosis of hypertension. This is usually seen in poorly managed asthma conditions resulting in a struggle to maintain healthy airway flow.
A meta-analysis study showed that there is a significant correlation between mothers having pregnancy-induced asthma and hypertension, suggesting a link between the two conditions. This study did not look for the actual connection between the conditions occurring simultaneously, but it did show that many pregnant mothers who had one of these conditions also suffered from another. It is theorized that the stress of childbirth and parenthood may lead to increased blood pressure flow, or that certain hormones during pregnancy may actually create physiological responses that raise blood pressure. Beta-blockers are thought to be an appropriate and simple treatment for high blood pressure, however many medical professionals caution against their use for those with both asthma and high blood pressure and those who are pregnant.
Most researchers will agree that asthma and hypertension are both common conditions and therefore appear to be related when present in an individual. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are related, but it seems likely that there is a link. The simplest theory of their connection boils down to psychological and physical stress affecting blood pressure levels, thus leading individuals to become unaware of their natural breathing patterns. This can become a problem if the stress is experienced for an extended period of time, as breathing patterns will become more unnatural as the body becomes more associated with the behavior.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
