How does pain affect blood pressure?
Why pain can raise blood pressure
When we are in pain, our body automatically reacts with a stress response. The nervous system is on alert. The body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, the heart beats faster, blood vessels narrow, and blood pressure goes up.This reaction normally helps us respond to danger. But if the pain is severe or lasts a long time, the body stays in this stressed state and blood pressure can remain elevated.
Short-term pain: blood pressure rises temporarily
Acute pain triggers an immediate release of stress hormones. These can cause a noticeable short-term rise in blood pressure. Once the pain eases, blood pressure usually returns to normal.Examples of acute pain include toothache, injuries, severe headaches, inflammation, or the pain that often occurs after surgery.
Chronic pain can cause high blood pressure
Pain is considered chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months.Studies show that people with chronic pain are more likely to develop high blood pressure than those without pain.
A large scientific study of more than 200,000 adults found that patients with chronic pain had a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure. Having pain in multiple body sites further increased the risk.
The researchers point to ongoing activation of the stress system, inflammatory processes in the body, poorer sleep, and reduced physical activity due to pain as the causes.
In some cases this can create a true vicious circle where pain and blood pressure reinforce each other. Headaches can raise blood pressure, the higher blood pressure can then worsen the headaches, which in turn pushes blood pressure even higher.
So it's a good idea to tackle pain early.
What you can do
If you often have pain and are also getting high blood pressure readings, you should have this checked by a doctor.Important measures may include:
- Treat pain early
- Measure your blood pressure regularly
- Get enough exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Reduce stress
Conclusion
Pain is not only unpleasant – it can also raise blood pressure.- Acute pain usually causes a short-term increase in blood pressure.
- Chronic pain can contribute to the development of high blood pressure over the long term.
Sources
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/chronic-pain-may-increase-the-risk-of-high-blood-pressure-in-adults
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007091225005410
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095639.htm
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41043-025-01089-6
- https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(25)00541-0/fulltext
- https://biologyinsights.com/does-pain-increase-blood-pressure
- https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912%2825%2900541-0/fulltext
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007091225003587https://newsroom.heart.org/news/chronic-pain-may-increase-the-risk-of-high-blood-pressure-in-adults
This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 03/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
