The relation between blood pressure and pain – what do we know already?

Czech version

Authors: M. Koudelka; E. Sovová
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika tělovýchovného lékařství a kardiovaskulární rehabilitace LF UP a FN Olomouc
Published in: Kardiol Rev Int Med 2017, 19(2): 115-117

Overview

High blood pressure (BP) accounts for 7.6 million deaths around the world every year and is the most frequent known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These are world endemic diseases and therefore it is highly important to identify the risk factors with certainty to be able to plan preventive measures. Pain is one of the risk factors causing CVD and also the most frequent reason for visiting a doctor. Studies show that chronic pain increases CVD risk and also the mortality in direct proportion. The mechanisms of mutual interaction between the cardiovascular and pain regulatory systems have not been fully explained so far. They might be explained by the activation of the sympatho-adrenal-medullary and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Raising awareness of chronic pain as a CVD risk factor, albeit in accordance with BMI, could have an important clinical impact.

Keywords:
blood pressure – chronic pain – acute pain – cardiovascular prevention

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