Why is high blood pressure a big deal? Because it's putting stress your heart and your arteries,
even if you don't feel any different. That added stress can raise your chances for a heart attack or stroke. Over time,
problems in your arteries could cut back on blood flow. And since all of the tissues and organs in your body need blood to work well, that means things like
your brain, your kidneys, your eyesight, and your sex life can be affected, too. By living with
healthy habits and taking medication to get or keep your blood pressure down now, you may
prevent long-term problems. It all starts with your arteries. Normally, the vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body have a smooth inner lining. They're strong and flexible enough to push blood through your body. High blood pressure changes that. The extra force of the blood can damage the cells on the inside walls of your arteries. If the pressure doesn't let up, it can cause tears in the lining so it's not smooth anymore. That's where fatty bits, called plaque, get caught and build up. Blood can't move as well around these clogs,
which can even block arteries. These deposits can also make the walls stiff so it's harder to move the blood. This damage can make the artery wall stretch and bulge out like a balloon. The bump is called an aneurysm. It can break open and bleed. Your heart is a muscle, and it needs blood, too. When its
supply lines can't deliver enough, you could have: To push blood through stiff or
clogged arteries, your heart has to work harder. An overworked heart can become larger than normal. Then the walls of the heart muscle lose strength and can't pump blood well. This could lead to a heart attack or
heart failure. The chances are greater if you already have heart problems. High blood pressure is a leading
cause of stroke. When an artery in your brain tears, leaks, or gets clogged, it can stop blood from getting to brain cells. Depending on what part of your
brain loses blood and what it does, you could have problems with language, vision, movement, or anything else your brain controls. It could be temporary if the blood flow is restored, or the damage may be permanent if the cells die. A lessened blood supply to the
brain can also keep you from thinking clearly and remembering. It can cause a condition called vascular dementia. About 1 in 5 people with
high blood pressure also have kidney disease. Your kidneys rely on a network of tiny
blood vessels to bring them oxygen and nutrients and to filter waste from your body. When the vessels get clogged, your kidneys can't do their job. Healthy kidneys play a role in keeping your blood pressure in check, too, so when they're damaged, your blood pressure could go up, which then causes more kidney trouble, in an ongoing loop. This could lead to kidney failure. Long-term high blood pressure can squeeze off blood flow
and damage the small blood vessels in your eyes. Fluid may build up under your retina, the part of your eye where images focus. These things can lead to problems including blurry, distorted, and lost
vision. You could also lose your sight when your optic nerve doesn't get enough blood. Less blood getting to your sexual organs can cause erectile dysfunction in men and a
lower sex drive for women. Narrow and blocked arteries in the lower part of your body -- especially your legs -- can cause pain and cramping. Because
it's affecting blood vessels that aren't near your heart, your doctor may call this peripheral artery disease (PAD). It can make muscles in your legs and hips sore and tired when you walk or climb stairs. High blood pressure may make you pee out too much calcium. If your body pulls calcium from your bones to make up for that, you could get osteoporosis. Older women with high blood pressure are more likely to have trouble with weak bones that break easily. About
a third to half of people with high blood pressure also have this condition, a kind of interrupted breathing while you sleep. High blood pressure can trigger it or make it worse. Your odds are higher if you have a hard time controlling your blood pressure. Unfortunately, the poor rest
that comes from sleep apnea can, in turn, raise your blood pressure.
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of high blood pressure, also called hypertension. The two conditions are comorbidities, meaning they commonly occur together. Large research studies have found the prevalence of hypertension in people with RA ranges from 52 percent to 73 percent. A study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that people with RA were at a significantly increased risk of having hypertension as compared to a general population of people without RA. Although there is a connection between RA and hypertension, not everyone with RA will have high blood pressure. Members of myRAteam have commented about also having high blood pressure. One member wrote, “Over the past year, I have been having high blood pressure even though I am still young.” Another said, “The past few weeks, I’ve been battling flare-ups and extremely high blood pressure.” If you have RA and high blood pressure, talk to your health care practitioner or rheumatologist about how to manage and treat both conditions. Once detected, high blood pressure can be controlled, and it doesn’t always require treatment. This article discusses the connection between the two conditions and provides ideas for managing both.
The Connection Between RA and High Blood PressureRA is usually diagnosed after symptoms like swelling and discomfort in joints become so painful that the person seeks medical or specialized rheumatology care. High blood pressure, however, may not produce obvious or noticeable symptoms. Blood pressure is usually tested at regular doctor’s appointments. The reading is in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and provides two numbers:
Sometimes, people are diagnosed with high blood pressure shortly after getting diagnosed with RA. Several factors may be responsible for the connection between high blood pressure and RA. Inflammation, RA medications, and physical inactivity due to RA are thought to play a part in this relationship. InflammationRA is both an autoimmune and inflammatory disease because the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body and this process causes inflammation. Inflammation in the body is measured through levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a protein made by the liver. Some research studies have found higher levels of CRP in people with high blood pressure. Research studies have also found inverse relationships between levels of CRP and elasticity of arteries — people with higher levels of inflammation have less elastic arteries. Inflammation can also cause atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in arteries), which narrows the area for blood to flow through blood vessels and arteries. Less elastic and more narrow arteries increase blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Chronic inflammatory diseases like RA are associated with decreased arterial elasticity, which may provide one explanation for the connection between high blood pressure and RA. MedicationsMany different medications used to treat RA may increase the risk of high blood pressure. These medications include those that address pain and inflammation, like nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. A systematic review — a type of research study that provides a summary of other existing research — found that the nonselective NSAIDs ibuprofen and indomethacin significantly increased blood pressure over four weeks of use. Other studies found that highly selective cox-2 inhibitors (coxibs), including rofecoxib and etoricoxib, increased blood pressure in people with RA, and therefore should be avoided for treatment. Furthermore, the combined use of NSAIDs or coxibs and steroids may increase blood pressure and should be monitored if these drugs are prescribed for RA. Studies have also found that NSAIDs may have an impact on the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs like diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and other vasodilators. It seems that NSAIDs do not have any effect on calcium channel blockers (another type of antihypertensive drug). NSAID use for RA pain needs to be taken into consideration when determining the type of antihypertensive drug to prescribe. Other types of drugs used to treat RA that can induce hypertension are disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as leflunomide (Arava), cyclosporine (Neoral), and high doses of oral glucocorticoids. Biologic tumor necrosis factor inhibitors like infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and etanercept (Enbrel) may help to reduce RA inflammation without increasing the risk of hypertension or heart disease. Methotrexate is an antirheumatic drug that is currently being examined by the National Institutes of Health as an RA treatment that may even lower the risk of heart disease. Physical InactivityPhysical activity is often difficult for people living with RA. Symptoms of RA like joint pain, damage, and swelling often get in the way of a regular exercise routine. Many people with RA may avoid physical activity because it causes more pain and fatigue. These individuals tend to lead a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of high blood pressure. “My pain does not allow me to be active. I push, but the more I strive to add more movement, my pain gets stronger,” wrote one myRAteam member. Learn about ways to exercise with RA. Living With RA and High Blood PressureRA and high blood pressure may affect each other in several different ways. Symptoms of each may become present or worse at the same time, and RA medications may increase blood pressure. RA Flares and SymptomsWhen living with RA and high blood pressure, some people discover that their blood pressure is higher during RA flares. “I have found that RA and hypertension seem to go hand in hand for some people, me included. Pain levels and stress elevate my blood pressure,” wrote one myRAteam member. In response to a myRAteam member’s question, “Does anyone’s blood pressure go up during a flare?” another member wrote, “Yes, definitely! I don’t know if my rationale is the true medical reason, but enduring the pain is stressful on both body and mind.” There is not enough evidence to definitively state whether controlling RA disease activity helps to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure or whether it helps to control blood pressure in those with RA. Some myRAteam members also question whether high blood pressure can make RA symptoms and flares worse. “Can high blood pressure make my arthritis pain feel worse? My hands are more swollen, and my legs are throbbing more as my blood pressure gets higher,” wrote one member. RA MedicationAs noted above, many different RA medications may increase blood pressure and lead to hypertension. If you already have hypertension or are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events due to genetic and other lifestyle factors (like smoking), talk to your doctor about these cardiovascular risk factors when determining which RA medications you should take. One member of myRAteam commented about having to discontinue their RA medication due to high blood pressure, saying, “I have been off of Cimzia for six weeks since my last injection, as my blood pressure has been high.” Some people with high blood pressure will not show any signs or symptoms. If you take an RA medication that may increase your blood pressure, make sure to get regular blood pressure readings from your primary care doctor or monitor your blood pressure at home. Machines for checking your blood pressure are available online and at most pharmacies. Managing RA and High Blood PressureRA and high blood pressure can be treated at the same time. RA is treated through different medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical means that all work to manage symptoms. High blood pressure, however, does not always need to be treated, though it does need to be monitored. Hypertension is considered modifiable because blood pressure can be reduced through lifestyle changes. These include:
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to control high blood pressure, but some of those medicines may interact with RA medications. Because symptoms of RA and high blood pressure may affect each other, it’s important to manage both conditions to minimize discomfort and improve quality of life. Talk to Others Who UnderstandWhen managing RA and high blood pressure, joining a support group and talking about your experiences may be helpful. On myRAteam, the social network for people with RA, more than 191,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with RA. Do you have RA and high blood pressure? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page. What hurts when you have high blood pressure?High blood pressure can damage your health in many ways. It can seriously hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems.
What can I take for joint pain with high BP?In general, people with high blood pressure should use acetaminophen or possibly aspirin for over-the-counter pain relief. Unless your health care provider has said it's OK, you should not use ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium. If aspirin or acetaminophen doesn't help with your pain, call your doctor.
Can high blood pressure cause pain in arms and legs?Peripheral artery disease (PAD) — Atherosclerosis caused by high blood pressure can lead to narrowed arteries in the legs, arms, stomach and head, causing pain or fatigue.
Is high blood pressure a symptom of arthritis?People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of high blood pressure, also called hypertension. The two conditions are comorbidities, meaning they commonly occur together. Large research studies have found the prevalence of hypertension in people with RA ranges from 52 percent to 73 percent.
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Can high blood pressure cause joint pain
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