Chronic Pain Fuels High Blood Pressure and Depression Epidemic

As of 2025-11-17T18:39:36+00:00, more than 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain, an all-consuming condition that often leads to depression, anxiety, and other mental and physical health issues. Doctors are now warning that adults affected by chronic pain are also more likely to develop high blood pressure.

The research, led by Dr. Jill Pell of the University of Glasgow, analyzed health data from over 200,000 British adults and found that "the more widespread their pain, the higher their risk of developing high blood pressure." This suggests that chronic inflammation, which may or may not be directly related to the pain, could be a contributing factor. Additionally, the depression that often results from chronic pain may also play a role in raising blood pressure.

Chronic inflammation has been linked to a range of serious health conditions, including cancer, dementia, and other chronic diseases. Researchers have also discovered that a lack of dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone, can increase blood pressure. With around half of American adults, or 120 million people, currently living with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, addressing this issue is crucial.

To lower the risk of both high blood pressure and inflammation, experts recommend getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, such as brisk walking or light jogging. Staying active is particularly important for the 16 million Americans living with chronic back pain, as walking for 100 minutes per day has been proven to help.