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A study published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension has shown that adults with chronic pain are more likely to develop high blood pressure, and that widespread pain and depression further increase this risk.

The study, which included more than 200,000 adults in the United States, revealed that individuals with chronic pain affecting multiple areas of the body were more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to those without pain or those with intermittent pain or localized pain. Jill Bell of the University of Glasgow stated that widespread pain is directly linked to increased risk, explaining that chronic pain increases the likelihood of depression, which in turn raises the risk of developing high blood pressure. According to a report published on this topic by Euronews, the European news network based in Brussels, on Thursday, and titled "The Dangers and Prevalence of High Blood Pressure," the study indicated that high blood pressure, which affects nearly half of all adults in the United States according to 2025 guidelines, is the leading cause of death both locally and globally. It considered chronic musculoskeletal pain to be the most common form of long-term pain, and that widespread pain or chronic pain in specific areas such as the abdomen, neck, and back is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

How were pain, depression, and inflammation assessed?
The study relied on questionnaires to determine the location and duration of pain, in addition to assessing depression and conducting blood tests to measure inflammation markers. The assessment included questions about the impact of pain on daily activities, its duration, and its location in the body, as well as questions related to mood, loss of interest, and feelings of lethargy.
After an average follow-up of 13.5 years, it was found that about 10 percent of the participants developed high blood pressure. The results showed that widespread chronic pain was Associated with a 75 percent increased risk of developing hypertension, chronic pain in specific locations such as the abdomen, neck, and back was linked to increases ranging from 16 to 43 percent. Researchers found that depression and inflammation together explained 11.7 percent of the association between chronic pain and high blood pressure.

Expert Comments and the Importance of Healthy Pain Management

Daniel Jones, head of the 2025 Hypertension Guidelines, said that the effect of pain on blood pressure is well-known in the short term, but this study better illustrates the impact of chronic pain. He emphasized the need to manage pain within the context of patients' overall health, especially given the potential for some medications, such as NSAIDs, to raise blood pressure.

Study Limitations and Scientific Background
Researchers noted that the majority of participants were white and middle-aged or older, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The study relied on data from the UK Biobank, which includes more than 500,000 people recruited between 2006 and 2010 in the UK, and comprised 206,963 participants. They underwent health assessments that included physical measurements, blood tests, and hospital records to monitor cases of high blood pressure.