How Back Pain Can Impact Your Blood Pressure
This content was medically reviewed by Baher S. Yanni, MD, on December 8th, 2018.
For patients with severe back pain, finding an effective pain management treatment is essential because it improves your overall quality of life, but it could also be imperative to your cardiovascular health. Medical researchers have there is a link between chronic pain and hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. That means that if you struggle with pervasive back pain, you are at higher risk for high blood pressure and other issues related to cardiovascular health.
Many patients attempt to deal with acute back pain on their own. However, if you have not spoken to an orthopedic doctor about back pain treatments, you may be putting yourself at risk for more severe health issues. Don’t live with back pain any longer than you have to. By speaking to the specialists at Spine INA, we will work out a treatment plan to address your back pain, thus helping to stave off the development of hypertension.
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How Chronic Back Pain Causes Hypertension
Chronic pain has a traumatic effect on our bodies. It’s connected to many different physical and psychological disorders, including hypertension. The systems that regulate pain and blood pressure are suspected to be linked, which may be the reason why sufferers of chronic back pain often exhibit multiple cardiovascular symptoms, including hypertension. Pain elevates blood pressure because of two biological responses that occur when your body experiences painful sensations:
- Electrical pain signals sent out from the brain stimulates a continuous discharge of the sympathetic nervous system. This sympathetic discharge produces hypertension and tachycardia, or a pulse rate over 100 beats per minute.
- Another cause for high blood pressure caused by back pain is that pain signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, which subsequently causes pulse and blood pressure to rise.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
If you are struggling with chronic back pain and believe it is affecting your cardiovascular health and causing high blood pressure, then it is essential that you recognize hypertension’s signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, high blood pressure isn’t always accompanied by symptoms. However, some signs to look out for include:
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Pounding in your chest, ears or neck
Learn More About Treatment Options for Chronic Back Pain
If you have chronic back pain that remains unaddressed, don’t let it impact your cardiovascular health. Our team at Spine INA is available to provide you with a variety of treatment options. After one of our specialists evaluate your condition, we can offer an individualized treatment plan, beginning with conservative options first and foremost. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
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4bulgingdiscs in lumbar spine hi blood pressure amilodipine does not control it very well will s steroid injection in lumbar spine be dangerous for me because of my blood pressure also take gabapentin 800mg that also raises blood pressure
Hi Eve! Thank you for sharing this comment. We would like to chat more about this. Please give us a call or fill out a contact form on our website!
I got treatment for back pain but the pain failed to go off
Hi Jacob! We are sorry to hear that this has been your experience. We would be more than happy to talk with you about pain management options. Please fill out a contact form at the top of the page!
Good day,
My pain mimic a heart attack, starting from the Cervical to the scapula then radiate to the arm and chest. Very frightening!!!
I have been going to the emergency room every week, they check the heart, gave me ct scan, stress test which all was good.
They gave me pain killers. But my issues was not addressed. My back pain still exist, I take 800 mg of garbapentin 3 times a day.
When I get the pain my blood pressure runs extremely high, non of my blood pressure medicine works.
I left messages to a neurosurgeon and after 1 weeks got a reply stating I need MRI’s
I left the MRI at the doctor since Monday, still waiting to see them.
In the mean time I have to live with pain and running to the emergency room.
What to do here, I don’t know anymore!!!
Please help
Hi Steve! Please give us a call or fill out a form on our site and we’d love to chat more about this!
I am Suffering with back pain for more than a year , I have been by chiropractic, and physiotherapy . I took X -Ray and MRI there is nothing in the results. I have checked my Kidney functions they function very well. I have checked my blood pressure, it was extremely high 174/123 Puls 54 , my blood cholesterol ( LDL)was high too 5.6 now I have started medical treatment for the high blood pressure which is called Perindoprill – Indapamid _ Mepha . Could it be my high blood pressure the cause of my back pain?
Hi Betty! We would love to chat more about this to help you determine if that could be the cause! We are sorry to hear that you are dealing with pain. Please do feel free to contact us or give us a call to chat.
Hi, I had a recent mri since having severe chronic back pain for the past three months and low back pain for almost a year since having an epidural steroid treatment to L4L5. I was just in pt for 9 weeks prior to scan. MRI shows a very large synovial cyst bulging deeply into spinal column. Have been on metoprolol & chlorthalidone for 8 months. Could there be any correlation to bp & spinal pressure? Could the steroid have attributed to the synovial cyst?
Hi Linda!
There can certainly be correlation between blood pressure and the pressure inside the brain and spinal column, which is called Intracranial Pressure or ICP. Despite that, high blood pressure has not been shown to be correlated with back pain, though it certainly can lead to headaches. Regarding synovial cysts, to the best of our knowledge, epidural steroid injections have not been shown to cause formation of synovial cysts. Synovial cysts form as a result of progressive arthritis and can occur in any joint, including the knees, hips and in the back. In your case, it is very likely that you have arthritis in the Facet Joint which interconnect the vertebral bones in the lower back. Synovial cysts can lead to localized back pain, but also can cause pressure on spinal nerves and the spinal column, and cause symptoms of “Sciatica”. Fortunately, we have treated many patients with arthritis and synovial cysts in the back, and have a lot of experience alleviating pain caused by this condition.
I recently started suffering with lower back pain. I am also losing inches. I have also developed hypertension
I am wondering if there is any correlation between lower back pain aches and my hypertension.
I await your reply.
Hi Sadie! We’re sorry to hear that this is something you have been dealing with! Please give us a call or fill out the contact form on our site so we can talk more about your situation one-on-one. Thanks!
I had aback pain recently, later I was diagnosed with hypertension is there any links between the two
Hey there! In order to provide an accurate response to your question, we’d like to learn more about your medical history. For privacy reasons, feel free to give us a call or fill out a form to chat!
I was having back pain before diagnosed with hypertension what is the link between the two?
Hey there! Feel free to give us a call for more insight and to talk about your situation in particular. Thanks!
Hi, recently I am feeling back pain and abnormal heart beat rate. So could you tell me the correlation of the two?
Hey there! Feel free to give us a call to discuss in more detail! Thanks!
I have been diagnosed of Cervical spondylosis recently , I can feel a pull in my eyes, what may be the problem. it has something to do with the spondylosis?
Hey there! Feel free to fill out a contact form or give us a call to chat!
How serious is my disease or condition and how will it affect my home and work life?
Hey there! Feel free to give us a call so we can chat!
I would like to speak to a specialist about my sudden high blood pressure spikes. First it was gradual when I hurt my lower lumbar in my back causing discs 4& 5 to bulge. Then had improper therapy.Then ended up in the ER for a few days in February 2020 for chest palpitations and BP over 181. Put on Metoprolol 25 mg made me sick with nausea and dizziness. Then prescribed Losartan 25 mg the same symptoms. Haven’t been properly monitored with BP meds because of the Covid. Dr advised me to stop taking the meds. Now I am experiencing internal pains in my lower back and shoulders and neck causing me disruptions of sleeping at night. BP is still very high was 177 /99. I feel like a walking time bomb with my health and life. What to do?
Hi Victor! Please feel free to give us a call and we can discuss your situation!
Hi, i have a serious low back pain, which i am very sure its the cause of my high blood pressure, how can i treat my low back pain?
Hello! Please give us a call and we’d be happy to discuss.
back pain can impact blood pressure, thanks for sharing the article.
I have been suffering from severe back and chest pain accompanied with high blood pressure.
Hey there! We are so sorry to hear that. If you’d like to make an appointment with us, please give us a call! Thanks!
Hi,
3 months ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at an ER and after the pain started in my left side of the head, my jaws, neck, back, left arm, and leg. CT scan was done and there was no sign of stroke. The heart was checked but was ok though my blood pressure was at 175/100. Since then, I have been on hypertension medication but every now and then, I experience back pain and heart palpitations which sometimes drop my heart rate to 45 and other times to 105. I also get swollen feet after jogging. What could be the problem, should I go back to my doctor for further diagnosis?
Hey Rhoda! I’d certainly seek medical attention if you are still feeling discomfort. Feel free to schedule a virtual appointment with us and we can chat more!
Very Informative
Thanks!
This article and patient questions was very enlightening. I have a spinal stenosis, and herniated disc. I recently had a serious spike in my blood pressure. I wondered whether the pain I experienced in my thighs ( actually cramping) ,( which I believed was a result of my back issues )was the cause of my blood pressure spiking.
Happy to hear that this post was helpful for you, Marilyn! Please give us a call with any questions and we’d be happy to help!
Hi recently i was diagnosed with high blood pressure and i have been having pain with my lower back for long can this course or trigger high blood pressure
Hey Stanley! We’re sorry to hear that! Feel free to give us a call and we can chat about this more!
I been having this back pain for quite some time. It is in the middle of my back going up & down of my spine. It just keeps getting worst by the day.
Hey Jesse! That’s not what we like to hear. Please give us a call and let’s chat!
Good Day,
Since 23 years I am suffering with chronic cervical pain in my neck which radiates to my chest shoulder bade and hand region. Initially thought it is something related in angina pain but it is not. I have been to so many doctors till date no one cured me. I am planning to see a chiropractor but unfortunately we don’t have them in my city. I also wanted to try some Ayurveda treatment like oil massages etc. Few days ago I read one article about Vagus Nerve and how it can impact human life. I understand that my vagus nerve is getting pinched by neck bone and causing this issue. As a result of this I also suffer from Hypertension from a very young age.
Since 10 years I had herniated disc and back pain also started.
I need your advice on this.
Thank you very much.
Nag
Hi there! Please give us a call so we can talk more!
Hello, Actually I’m from India and can’t able to contact you cause its not asking the country code please help me and tell me how to contact you guys.
Its really urgent.
Thankyou
Please fill out a form on our site and provide your email so we can coordinate!
I have pain in my lower back lumber and as a result l am experiencing uncontrollable BP.
Hey Victor! Please give us a call so we can provide some recommendations for you!
Hi,av been having back pains especially at the left shoulder,its a bother now because its now spreading to the arm hence increasing my blood pressure.
Hi there! We’d be happy to help. Please fill out a form on our site or give us a call to discuss!