Potential Links Between Hypertension And Asthma

By John Bottrell, RRT

3 min read

I have dealt with asthma my entire life and also have high blood pressure. Of course, these are two different diseases with different treatment strategies, but still, I was wondering if there are potential links between the two. Here is what I learned.

What is high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a medical term for high blood pressure. It is a measure of the two pressures inside your arteries.

Your heart is a muscle. When the heart muscle is relaxed it is called diastole. During this time blood enters your heart. When your heart contracts it is called systole which is when blood is pushed through all the arteries of your body. This is how oxygen and other nutrients travel to all the tissues of your body. This gives us two blood pressures.^1,2

Systolic. The pressure during systole. Normal is 120
Diastolic. The pressure during diastole. Normal is 80

So, normal blood pressure varies with age, although is generally considered 120/80. When your blood pressure is consistently higher than 130/80 you are considered to have high blood pressure. This higher pressure puts extra strain on the walls of your arteries. This puts you at risk for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes.¹

Maintaining blood pressure less than 130/90 can significantly reduce your risk for cardiovascular complications. This can be accomplished through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. It can also be accomplished with medicine to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of complications.^1-3

Links between asthma and high blood pressure

Apparently, I am not the lone asthmatic with high blood pressure. A whopping 41% of people who completed our annual Asthma In America survey said they also have hypertension.

Various studies have also confirmed a link between these two diseases. They show an increased prevalence of high blood pressure in the asthma community. People with severe asthma (or lower lung functions) had higher rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. They also show that asthmatics with high blood pressure are more likely to have severe asthma.^3,4

Research theories

No one knows if there are actual links between these two diseases. It’s possible the link is merely coincidental. However, because of the elevated hypertension rate among asthmatics, researchers have looked into potential links. They have even pondered theories, such as:^3,4

Medicine. Medicines used to treat one disease may contribute to the other. Corticosteroids used to treat asthma may cause high blood pressure. Also, beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure may contribute to asthma. So, is it possible asthma or COPD medicines explain the link?
Similar risk factors. Both conditions do have similar risk factors. For instance, stress is known as a potential asthma trigger. It’s also a potential cause of hypertension. Cigarette smoke is known as a potential trigger and cause of asthma. It is also a potential risk factor for hypertension.
So, is the link explained by the fact they share similar risk factors?
Other disorders. Obesity is a risk factor for both conditions. So, is obesity a potential link between the two diseases?
Shared genetics. Researchers have identified 10 genes linked to both asthma and high blood pressure. Is it possible that these shared genes are the link?

Researchers continue looking into all of these potential links. Although, the ones they are leaning towards are drug side effects and genetics. Still, much more research needs to be done before they come to any definitive conclusions.

What to make of this?

Much more research needs to be done on this subject. One objective of such research is to learn more about high blood pressure and asthma. A second objective is to find better strategies for treating both conditions. A third objective may involve developing strategies for screening asthmatics for hypertension and vice versa.

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shellzoo Member
I know there are links between sleep apnea and high blood pressure making me wonder if airway obstruction plays a part. When out asthma flares up or we have increased inflammation of our airway I would think we are working harder to breath and that could potentially affect our blood pressure. I have high blood pressure and it did improve with both medications but also getting my asthma diagnosed and treated. I had one blood pressure crisis and remember feeling like I had to work harder to breath just prior to it. Currently my blood pressure is better controlled but when I had a bad asthma exacerbation earlier this year, my blood pressure was pretty high until I was breathing better. I suspect a connection. My primary doctor treats my blood pressure but my blood pressure med was approved first by my asthma doctor. I am not supposed to have beta blockers. Good article and will be interesting to see what evidence based research comes up with. 
1. shellzoo Member
 Hmmmmm that makes me wonder if drawing a CRP would be helpful in seeing how inflammation might be linked to both?
2. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Wow! You're up early, Shelzoo 😀 Do keep us posted if you learn anything new. John. Community Moderator. <a href='http://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>
Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Nicely done, John! This is a good article and one that we do need for reference material. Thanks so much for doing the work and having this published. Regards, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
Sunnyday Member
My high diastolic BP started when I went on Seretide (Fluticasone + Salmeterol). The inhaler has given me adrenal insufficiency and I'm now in the early stages of weaning off. I hope and expect my BP to reduce as my dose decreases. My consultants anticipate my needing Hydrocortisone, however, so I hope that doesn't increase my BP again 🙁 They are substituting the Seretide with Montelukast and Xolair. Scary times for me to be honest. I just hope my suppressed ACTH and adrenals can start up again. 
1. Rebecca C Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Sunnyday" user-id="4581051"/> Hoping you find success with montelukast (Singulair) and Xolair treatment. Have you been feeling any better the past week? It's a horribly scary ordeal for you. Have you been keeping in contact with treatment physicians - an endocrinologist, etc. and updating them on worsening/bettering of symptoms? Hoping BP lowers soon. Rebecca (comm advc)
jules123 Member
Hi <inline-mention username="John Bottrell, RRT" user-id="3021172"/>, I was scrolling through the articles and came across this one regarding Asthma and hyper tension. i was amazed that a whopping 87% of the people that responded said they did have hypertension. It may be because of the nature of the article attracting more hypertension positive people, but still. Just wondering if you have found out any other info on this? I have hereditary hypertension my doctor said, and will no doubt be on tabs for the rest of my life as my lifestyle is not contributing to it except possibly the asthma medication factor. I really should probably keep a closer eye on my blood pressure but it has been consistantly low since going on meds for it. Like other people have said on various posts, I would be interested to know if there is a more natural product that really works properly to lower blood pressure and control asthma, as I hate to think about what I will do when I retire and dont have as much of an income to pay for all these expensive meds (In SA we dont have national health insurance or anything of that sort, and only if you pay 1000's every month will you medical aid pay for chronic meds.
John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Thank you for posting. Since writing the article, I have not come across any further information on the potential link between asthma and hypertension. If I do learn anything further I will be certain to let you and the community know about it. A neat thing is that many blood pressure medicines, including the one I take, are generic, and generally do not cost that much. I think I pay $5-10 for a three month supply. Like you, I am not keen on the idea of taking a medicine every day, although have learned that I will likely be the case for me. I am not aware of natural products that work to lower blood pressure. As always, if I learn anything further I will be sure to let you know. Wishing you all the best. John. author/ <a href='http://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a> community moderator
Libra2684 Member
Hypertension & asthma runs in my family. I was diagnosed with essential hypertension in 2010 & on several different type of medicine 💊 to help control my BP until my current medication & many ER visits for chest pains & breathing issues. I was then diagnosed with moderate persistent asthma & allergic asthma in 2020 after having chest pain & breathing issues again. 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi again, <inline-mention username="Libra2684" user-id="4660125"/>, and thanks for sharing this information about your medical history. I don't believe I was aware you were also managing essential hypertension with the other medical diagnoses you've shared. We appreciate your candor. Warm regards, Leon L (author/moderator <a href='http://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)

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