Blood pressure is a measurement that reflects the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it through your body. This reading can fluctuate throughout the day due to various factors, including physical activity, emotional states, and even the time of day. When you are feeling unwell, it is common for these readings to show a temporary increase from your usual levels. Understanding these variations can help in managing your health effectively.
How Illness Affects Blood Pressure
When the body encounters an illness, it initiates a response, often activating the sympathetic nervous system. This activation releases hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol from the adrenal glands. Adrenaline causes the heart to beat faster and with more force, while also constricting blood vessels, both of which contribute to an increase in blood pressure.
Illness can trigger widespread inflammation throughout the body as the immune system fights infection. This inflammatory response can cause blood vessels to narrow and become less flexible, making blood flow harder and potentially raising blood pressure.
Dehydration, common with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, can also influence blood pressure. While severe dehydration can lead to a drop in blood pressure, the body may overcorrect by releasing hormones like vasopressin, which cause blood vessels to constrict and can temporarily elevate blood pressure.
Certain over-the-counter medications, such as decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine), constrict blood vessels to reduce nasal swelling. This vasoconstriction can also lead to a systemic increase in blood pressure, a concern for those monitoring their readings.
Common Sicknesses and Their Impact
Several common illnesses can lead to temporary elevations in blood pressure. Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu, or bronchitis, frequently cause symptoms like congestion, fever, and body aches. The fever associated with these conditions can increase heart rate and metabolic demand, contributing to a rise in blood pressure. The overall stress on the body from fighting the infection also plays a role in this temporary increase.
Conditions like pneumonia or strep throat can lead to a systemic inflammatory response, which may result in a temporary spike in blood pressure. These increases are usually short-lived and resolve with recovery from the illness.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While temporary blood pressure increases during illness are common, certain situations warrant consulting a healthcare professional. If readings are consistently very high (e.g., 180/120 mm Hg or greater), or remain elevated after the illness subsides, consult a doctor. Individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension should be particularly vigilant and discuss any significant changes with their doctor.
Accompanying symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden vision changes, or numbness and weakness, alongside elevated blood pressure, require immediate medical attention. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on managing blood pressure when sick, especially before taking new medications. Self-diagnosing or delaying professional medical evaluation for concerning symptoms is not recommended.