Not many people would think pain and high blood pressure are connected. But surprisingly, there lies a strong psychological link between the two. Whenever you experience pain, chances are that your blood pressure reading also shoots up, leading to a case of acute hypertension.
But how exactly does pain cause high blood pressure? What kind of pain triggers such a response? To find out the answer to these questions, keep on reading this blog.
Can Pain Cause High Blood Pressure?
Yes, your body is very receptive to pain, especially the nervous system. The moment it picks up that you’re sensitive or in pain, it activates an internal procedure involving the baroreceptor reflex.
This reflex is in charge of controlling your blood pressure. So, when it senses something is wrong, it alerts your body, which restricts the blood flow. Through this, your blood pressure starts to rise until the pain is all but gone. Once you’re no longer hurting, the baroreceptor reflex will gradually allow the blood to flow normally until your blood pressure stabilizes.
Types of Pain And Their Connection To Hypertension
Essentially, there are two types of pain that lead to your blood pressure shooting. However, despite their differences, they both affect your blood flow in different ways. Here’s a brief explanation of the two:
Acute Pain & Hypertension
The best way to describe acute pain-related hypertension is that it is temporary. That is to say, whenever you experience sudden bouts of pain, it will affect you for only a limited period of time. For example, if you accidentally bang your elbow on a wooden surface, the pain would shoot up your arm and trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response. This heightens your alertness as well as your blood pressure. Thankfully though, due to its temporary nature, the pain and blood pressure are quick to retreat.
Chronic Pain & Hypertension
Meant to last longer and severely impact your blood pressure levels; chronic pain has no time period. It can last for as long as weeks, months, or even years! It’s mostly triggered by arthritis, neck, back, and joint pain, as well as chronic headaches, among others. Thus, whenever your chronic condition acts up, it is most likely that your blood pressure will also increase.
Tips To Manage Pain And High Blood Pressure
There is no way to stop chronic pain or hypertension permanently. However, there are ways you can manage the symptoms, as mentioned below.
- Keep away from alcohol as much as you can.
- Maintain a healthy weight and BMI.
- Exercise daily.
- Avoid smoking or vaping.
- Keep stress levels to a minimum.
- Stick to a proper sleeping schedule.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Conclusion
All in all, pain can cause high blood pressure since they’re linked to your body’s nervous system. However, through careful management, you may be able to limit the extent of its effects. Moreover, if you think your hypertension symptoms are progressing and aren’t leveling, reach out to Aqeeq Internal Medicine for proper diagnosis and treatment.
You can contact us at (832) 786-8195 or visit our clinic located inside the Cairnway Plaza at 16125 Cairnway Drive Ste 114, Houston, TX 77084.