Blood Pressure: It’s on the rise
Research identifies possible link between pandemic stress and higher blood pressure
If you experienced a rise in blood pressure (hypertension) during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone.?
New data from nearly half a million U.S. adults found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose during the pandemic. Given that only about 1 in 4 adults (24%) with hypertension have it under control, the findings emphasize the importance of having consistent support to manage this chronic condition.
Published in the scientific journal Circulation, the research letter analyzed blood pressure data from 464,585 men and women from all 50 states and D.C., with a mean age of 45.7. Data were collected in 2018, 2019, and 2020.?
The results found that there were no differences in blood pressure in participants from 2019 and early 2020 (January to March), but there was a statistically significant increase in blood pressure from April to December 2020 as compared to 2019.?
The causes can’t be easily explained. Potential factors include higher stress, reduced access to healthcare, increased alcohol consumption, reduced physical activity, and lower medication adherence.
Notably, researchers found weight gain was not a likely explanation for the rise in blood pressure from April to December 2020: there was a lack of significant changes in weight of the study participants.?
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On average, systolic blood pressure increased between 1.10 and 2.50 mmHg each month from April to December 2020. Diastolic blood pressure increased between 0.14 and 0.53 mmHg each month from April to December. Notably, women's blood pressure increase was greater than that of men.
Although these changes in blood pressure are relatively small, it’s important to note that prior studies showed a significant change in outcomes with rises in blood pressure of just 2 mmHg.
These findings are concerning, given the correlation between higher blood pressure and increased mortality from stroke and ischemic heart disease (heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries). The research emphasizes that physicians — and all of us as individuals — should have heightened awareness of the need for better management of hypertension during this pandemic.?
If you or someone you care for needs support managing high blood pressure (hypertension), don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care doctor. For those who don’t have a primary care doctor, HealthTap is ready to partner with you. We’re accepting new patients in our virtual primary care clinic, and doctors are available in all 50 states. Click here to learn more about healthy blood pressure.
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