An allergic reaction can be a scary experience, but for someone with high blood pressure, a wrong decision could turn deadly. If you have problems with allergies and high blood pressure, consult with your doctor before attempting over-the-counter treatments. Wearing an emergency alert bracelet for your conditions can help you get proper treatment if you’re unconscious from a severe allergic reaction.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the amount of blood pumping through the heart and how much resistance to the flow is in your arteries. If arteries are constricted and narrow, the heart works harder to circulate blood throughout the body, so blood pressure is high. On the other hand, if the arteries relax and dilate, blood flows through the arteries without resistance, which can result in low blood pressure. At the time your blood pressure is checked, the nurse gives you two numbers. The first number is the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats and the second number is the pressure in your arteries between beats. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, and high blood pressure is above 140/90 mm Hg. Unless an allergic reaction is severe and life-threatening, your blood pressure is unlikely to be affected.
Allergies
An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system tries to destroy a substance that’s considered harmless to most people. This substance is referred to as an allergen. The first time you come in contact with the allergen, your body starts making antibodies to fight the substance in the future. The second time you come in contact with the allergen, you have an allergic reaction. The reaction depends on the allergen and varies from person to person. Allergic rhinitis, which occurs when you inhale your allergen, causes problems with your nose, throat and ears. If allergic rhinitis causes congestion for you at night, you may have difficulties breathing, which can lead to sleep apnea that can cause high blood pressure. However, a systemic allergic-reaction that occurs with anaphylaxis can lower your blood pressure to dangerously low levels, resulting in an abnormal heart beat and your skin turning blue due to oxygen deficiency. In the most severe cases of anaphylaxis, the person goes into cardiac arrest.
Treatment
Decongestants are also commonly used to treat a stuffy nose from allergies, but decongestants constrict your blood vessels, which is potentially dangerous for someone with pre-existing high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should also avoid antihistamines unless directed differently by a doctor. During anaphylaxis a person receives an injection of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, which increases blood pressure. Signs of dangerously high blood pressure include buzzing in the ears, blurred vision, a severe headache, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizures and heart palpitations.
Prevention
Prevent an allergic reaction by avoiding the allergen that triggers your symptom. Unfortunately, this is not always possible since your allergen may be unidentified or difficult to avoid, such as pollen. Once your doctor or allergist creates a personal plan for controlling your allergies that doesn’t interfere with your high blood pressure, follow the plan as advised. Tell you allergist of any blood pressure medications you’re taking. Blood pressure increases gradually with age, but you can prevent significantly higher blood pressure by reducing salt in your diet, exercising, quitting smoking, avoiding heavy drinking and reducing your stress levels.
References
- MayoClinic.com: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- FamilyDoctor.org: Allergies: Things You Can Do to Control Your Symptoms
- Medline Plus: Anaphylaxis
- Drugs.com: Epinephrine Injection Medical Facts
- University of Iowa Health Topics: Decongestants vs. Antihistamines
- HealthyKey.com: Can Allergies Cause High Blood Pressure?
