Asthma, other allergies linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease

A history of allergic disorders — including asthma, digestive allergies and skin allergies — is associated with a heightened risk of high blood pressure and/or coronary heart disease, according to a new analysis of more than 34,000 adult patients.

The research was presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Asia 2022 Together with the Korean Society of Cardiology (KSC) Spring Conference, a joint event hosted by the ACC and KSC in South Korea April 15-16.

The study’s authors explored data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health Interview Survey, focusing on 34,417 patients treated from the United States in 2012. The average patient age was 48.5 years old. More than 10,000 patients presented with at least one allergic disorder, including asthma, respiratory allergies, digestive allergies, skin allergies or other allergies.

Overall, the group found, a history of any allergic disorders was linked to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Asthma was tied to the most significant risks overall, though all patients between the ages of 18 and 57 faced a greater risk of hypertension. Also, black, male patients between the ages of 39 and 57 faced a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

“For patients with allergic disorders, routine evaluation of blood pressure and routine examination for coronary heart disease should be given by clinicians to ensure early treatments are given to those with hypertension or coronary heart disease,” lead author Yang Guo, PhD, a specialist with the department of dermatology at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital and Shenzhen Peking University -The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, said in a statement.