Medical experts have issued a stark warning that adults living with chronic pain face a significantly higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure, a condition linked to life-threatening heart disease and stroke.
The Vicious Cycle of Pain and Pressure
An extensive analysis of health data from more than 200,000 British adults conducted by the University of Glasgow has revealed a direct correlation. Dr. Jill Pell, who led the research, stated in November 2025, "The more widespread their pain, the higher their risk of developing high blood pressure."
The study suggests that the depression which often accompanies relentless pain is a major contributing factor to this increased cardiovascular risk. Dr. Pell emphasised that early detection and treatment of depression in pain sufferers could be crucial in helping to reduce their chances of developing hypertension.
Inflammation's Hidden Role
However, depression is not the sole culprit. The research team identified chronic inflammation as another key player. While acute inflammation is a normal, protective bodily response, chronic inflammation persists unnecessarily and can be profoundly harmful.
This persistent inflammatory state, which may or may not be directly related to the pain itself, has previously been shown to lead to cancer, dementia, and other chronic diseases. The Glasgow study is among the first to examine how much this inflammation, combined with depression, drives the specific link between chronic pain and high blood pressure.
Building on Decades of Research
These findings consolidate decades of prior investigation. A 2011 study from Washington, D.C. found that a lack of dopamine, the 'feel-good' hormone, can increase blood pressure. Furthermore, a 2025 Johns Hopkins Medicine review of over 375 studies confirmed that 40% of adults with chronic pain experience clinically significant depression and anxiety.
The scale of the problem is immense. In the United States alone, more than 50 million people suffer from chronic pain, while approximately 120 million American adults have high blood pressure. Heart disease, for which hypertension is a primary risk factor, remains the nation's leading cause of death, claiming over 910,000 lives annually.
Practical Steps for Prevention
To combat the risks of both high blood pressure and chronic inflammation, doctors recommend several lifestyle adjustments. These include:
- Sleeping for at least seven hours per night
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Getting a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, such as a brisk walk or light jog
For the 16 million Americans living with chronic back pain, staying active is particularly vital. Research has shown that walking for 100 minutes spread throughout the day can significantly help manage their condition and mitigate associated risks.
