Can One Lead to the Other?

Anemia may contribute to the development of high blood pressure for some people. Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in your tissues and trigger a protective reflex, which causes your body to increase blood pressure in your lungs, medically known as pulmonary hypertension.

Severe anemia also seems to lead to other changes to your heart and blood vessels that can contribute to high blood pressure, such as:

• faster heart rate
• higher cardiac output
• increased sympathetic nervous activity

Additionally, the medication erythropoietin (Epogen, Procrit, Retacrit), which is used to stimulate the formation of new blood cells, might increase the risk of high blood pressure.

In a 2023 study from Ethiopia, researchers examined the prevalence of anemia in 428 people with high blood pressure. The researchers found that 17.6% of people with high blood pressure had anemia. Uncontrolled blood pressure, higher pulse pressure, and longer duration were all significantly associated with anemia.

Additionally, researchers in a 2019 study found evidence that anemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney complications in people with high blood pressure whose blood pressure is well controlled.

People with high blood pressure may experience dysfunction of their blood vessels and higher amounts of pro-inflammatory molecules that have an inhibitory effect on bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy material inside your bone responsible for the formation of new blood cells.

In a 2024 study, researchers found a strong correlation between a specific type of anemia called iron deficiency anemia and high blood pressure. Iron deficiency anemia is specifically caused by low iron levels.

The researchers reported a 2.5 times higher risk of iron-deficiency anemia in people with high blood pressure compared to people without.

These are the potential symptoms of anemia and hypertension.

Potential symptoms of anemia include:

High blood pressure often doesn’t cause any symptoms until you develop complications. Complications can include:

It’s important to get medical attention if you develop potential warning signs of anemia, such as:

• shortness of breath
• headaches
• chest pain

If you’ve previously been diagnosed with high blood pressure or may be at risk, it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional about how often you should measure your blood pressure.

Some people are at an increased risk of high blood pressure, such as people who:

• eat an unhealthy diet
• are physically inactive
• have obesity
• consume too much alcohol
• use tobacco
• are African American

Treatment for anemia depends on the underlying cause. It might include:

• increasing dietary intake or supplements of
• medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents

Treatment options for high blood pressure include:

• lifestyle changes such as:
• medications, such as

Severe anemia might contribute to changes that can raise your risk of high blood pressure, such as increased heart rate and sympathetic nervous system activity.

An abnormally fast heart rate can be a sign of iron deficiency and can potentially increase blood pressure.

People with iron overload may have overactivation of their sympathetic nervous system, which might contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

Anemia may lead to an increased heart rate and other changes that put stress on your heart.

High blood pressure and anemia might have a two-way relationship. Each condition may increase your risk of developing the other.

It’s important to visit a healthcare professional if you think you have either condition so you can receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.