Allergies may contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension), but they’re unlikely to directly cause it. The current research is inconclusive on whether having allergies can increase your risk factors for developing any cardiac condition.

However, some allergic conditions, like asthma, may increase the risk of hypertension.

The answer can be considered controversial, but a study released in 2022 involving more than 34,000 adults found that those with allergic disorders also had higher risks of developing coronary heart disease and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Other experts hypothesize that because those with allergies are more likely to have regular doctor’s visits, their doctors are also more likely to identify unrelated heart conditions during those checkups.

On the other hand, a 2023 study found that having allergic rhinitis reduced the risk of hypertension.

The bottom line

The symptoms of hypertension can be subtle or impossible for you to detect, and it’s not clear whether allergies contribute to its development.

If you have concerns about your cardiovascular health, with or without allergies, talk with a healthcare professional about ways you can improve it.

If you have allergies, there may be other contributing factors in your lifestyle that could lead to high blood pressure. For example, regularly using decongestants could cause temporary rises in blood pressure or be hazardous to those who already have hypertension.

Additionally, if you have severe allergies, you might develop a more sedentary lifestyle as you try to avoid triggering your allergies. This could lead to higher risks of developing cardiovascular conditions.

Allergies might also add stress to your day-to-day life. Research from 2021 has established that chronic stress can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.

If you’re living with high blood pressure, allergies, or both, you can learn more about your treatment options at Healthline: