Chronic Pain Linked to Greater Risk of Hypertension: Daily Dose

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On November 17, 2025, we reported on a study published in Hypertension that examined the associations between different pain characteristics and incident hypertension (HTN), and whether they were mediated by inflammation, depression, or medication.

The study

In the cohort study of 206 963 UK Biobank participants, researchers used multivariable Cox-proportional regression to determine the associations between pain and the risk of developing HTN. They also conducted a mediation analysis to estimate how much of the association was explained by inflammation (measured via C-reactive protein), depression, and medication.

Pain at baseline was assessed using a touchscreen questionnaire. The study investigated various pain characteristics, including type, location, and spread (short-term, chronic localized, and chronic widespread pain). Incident hypertension was identified through linkage to participants' health records over a median follow-up period of 13.5 years.

The findings

According to the results, a total of 19 911 participants (9.62%) developed HTN during the study period. Compared with participants reporting no pain, those with short-term pain had a 10% greater risk (hazard ratio 1.10, 95% CI, 1.03–1.17) and those with chronic localized pain had a 20% great risk (HR 1.20, 95% CI, 1.14–1.26) of experiencing an increase in blood pressure.

Chronic widespread pain carried a 74% higher risk of developing hypertension, while chronic abdominal pain showed a 43% increased risk. Chronic headaches corresponded to a 22% higher risk, chronic neck/shoulder pain to 19%, chronic hip pain to 17%, and chronic back pain to 16%.

Depression mediated 11.3% of the association between chronic pain and hypertension, while inflammation (measured by C-reactive protein) mediated 0.4%. Together, they explained 11.7% of the total association, according to the results.

Authors’ comments

"People with chronic pain are at higher risk of developing hypertension, and this is partly explained by inflammation and depression. These findings reinforce the need for pain management, and the monitoring and early detection of hypertension.”

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