Can blood pressure increase during colds and flu, what is the risk of colds for hypertensive patients?

Exacerbation of chronic pathologies is closely related to seasonal diseases. Emergency doctors note an increase in the number of calls to hypertensive patients during an epidemic of influenza and ARVI. Let's figure out whether blood pressure can increase during a cold, how it manifests itself, and how you can help yourself at home, this article will tell you.

ARVI and acute respiratory infections: is there a difference?

Surely you have seen the abbreviation ARVI or ARI in your medical record. It is known that in the first case we mean an acute respiratory viral infection, and in the second – an acute respiratory disease. It is not difficult to guess that these are not synonyms.

Both ARVI and acute respiratory infections must be treated! It is impossible to exclude complications and guarantee that they will definitely not occur. It is definitely dangerous to carry the disease “on your feet.” The fundamental question in choosing a therapeutic regimen will be the following: is the disease viral or bacterial? If the doctor (whom you are not too lazy to contact) has doubts, he will send you to the laboratory. And there the tests will not leave any questions.

Therapy will be etiotropic, that is, aimed at eliminating the root cause, and symptomatic: the doctor will try to alleviate the manifestations of the disease.

Does blood pressure increase with a cold: is it normal or not?

Medicine confirms: our body reacts to external attacks by changing its physical state. And blood pressure, as one of the most important vital indicators, can also be corrected by the disease. As soon as your body temperature rises, your blood pressure also begins to fluctuate. In this case, it is not so important whether a person is hypotensive, hypertensive, or whether his blood pressure is fine.

And doctors have an argument for this - namely, those changes in the circulatory system that are facilitated by an increase in the temperature background. Even a mild cold, which some people do not even try to treat, causes a response from all important systems and organs. In order to eliminate a virus or bacterial infection, all major structures are mobilized.

If you do not complain about increased blood pressure at normal times, there is nothing to worry about. But if you are hypertensive, blood pressure during ARVI can be a definite threat. The fact is that in some cases vascular spasm occurs, which is fraught with a hypertensive crisis.

As everyone knows, our body is a structure in which everything is interconnected. Hypertension itself is a serious pathology; its exacerbation sometimes depends on a variety of factors: weather, stress at work, as well as a failure of the body’s thermoregulation due to a simple acute respiratory viral infection.

Prevention measures

Treatment of a cold or flu for a hypertensive patient is fraught with certain difficulties. With this in mind, during the peak of a seasonal epidemic it is necessary to take measures to prevent the disease:

• avoid crowded places;
• postpone friendly visits to those who are already sick;
• wear a protective medical mask on public transport;
• apply Oxolinic ointment to the nasal mucosa before leaving the house;
• have a handkerchief soaked in lavender oil;
• try to eat more garlic (you can do it after heat treatment).

In addition, it is worth strengthening your diet with fortified foods (vegetables, fruits, berries). Rest more, control stressful situations.

Bad weather and weak immunity can cause unpleasant symptoms and illness. Does blood pressure (BP) increase with a cold?

During the cold season, complications most often occur in older people and hypertensive patients. The cause may be a weakened immune system, excitability of the nervous system, as well as taking medications that cause a rise in blood pressure.

Why does the temperature rise during a cold, how can this be related to blood pressure?

If you are hypothermic, the body will react to this quite quickly: to reduce heat loss, muscle contraction will occur, and energy production will increase due to increased metabolism. This, in turn, will provoke vasoconstriction - blood is transported to vital organs, or to those where pathological changes are already occurring. In such a situation, the body is no longer able to maintain its normal state, and it will react with an increase in temperature.

If the cause of the disease is a virus (and there are a huge number of them), the pathogen itself begins to attack the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. A certain part of viral agents die at this stage, since our respiratory organs are able to release protective moisture. But a certain percentage of the barrier passes, attacking healthy organ cells.

The body as a single system is involved in the fight against foreign protein:

1. The rate of interferon production increases (as the group of antiviral agents is called);
2. The mechanism of absorption of attacking organisms by protective cells is enhanced;
3. Metabolism accelerates, the body tries to get rid of toxins through frequent urination;
4. Due to the activation of protective, “emergency” processes, microorganisms begin to die. A special merit in this is the heat - it is the temperature increase that prevents foreign agents from multiplying.

As you might guess, a rise in temperature is a marker that the body is actively involved in the fight. That is why doctors advise not to rush to knock it down, especially if it is not tall.

To say that blood pressure always increases significantly would, of course, be untrue. But the emergence of infections is a truly dangerous situation. Especially if the body is weakened, if the pathogen itself is strong, if the patient did not respond to the illness in time.

A surge in pressure can occur due to the fact that microorganisms are forced to turn on the “emergency” mode: the normal functioning of the central nervous system is disrupted. Finally, quite often the pressure rises due to the neglect of the disease.

When the patient is to blame for high blood pressure

No matter how offensive it may sound, it is not so rare that a person who is ill himself leads to an increase in blood pressure. For example, this happens if he does not dose the medication correctly. This usually happens with self-medication enthusiasts: they choose a pharmaceutical drug based on an advertisement or review, and prescribe the dosage themselves. And if it is exceeded, the pressure can become a reaction to such “arbitrariness.” And this does not take into account the fact that the medicine simply may not be suitable and may worsen the condition.

The next point is non-compliance with bed rest, and these are not some exceptional cases. If the condition requires giving up any activity, and just rest, sleep and rest, you need to give yourself all this. Carrying an illness “on your feet” is a favorite risk that people of different ages take. This is very dangerous, complications can be irreversible.

And an increase in pressure is one of the reactive scenarios: the body, forced to be active, cannot cope with it. The most important functions are disrupted, including blood pressure regulation.

What drugs are dangerous?

Pharmacies may offer the drug “Panadol Extra” for the treatment of colds, but hypertensive patients should be careful with this medicine. It contains caffeine and, therefore, is unsafe for high blood pressure.

If the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees, it is generally better not to bring it down with the help of antipyretics. The body is still able to cope with the virus on its own.

When you still have to get rid of a fever, it is better to use Paracetamol (as a last resort, Aspirin).

Some medications can be combined, but not all. Along with antipyretic medications, it is recommended:

washing the nasal passages; taking vitamins (vitamin C is especially useful).

It is impossible not to note the danger of using vasoconstrictor drugs for hypertensive patients. An alternative to drops can be special ointments or gels. Thus, it is possible to achieve the desired effect without vasoconstriction. Or choose safe homeopathic remedies, like Pinosol.

Antihistamines may be prescribed for severe runny nose or sneezing. You can purchase such medications at any pharmacy. But it is advisable for hypertensive patients to avoid them, although they help free up the nose. Because of them, the pressure can only increase. But an effective replacement can be saline solutions, with which you can rinse your nose. They do not allow you to achieve immediate results, but if you take them regularly, the effect will be achieved.

For hypertensive patients, it is better to bring down a high temperature with Paracetamol

You should not trust all kinds of complex drugs, despite their sedative effect and potent effect. Among their components, as a rule, there are components that increase heartbeat. Accordingly, it cannot be done without increasing the pressure.

Antibiotics and blood pressure

Everyone has heard more than once that you can only take antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor. And yet, not everyone follows the rule. For example, for viral diseases, antibacterial therapy actually makes no sense. But you often hear that antibiotics are taken “just in case” so that there are no complications. This scheme is possible in rare situations, and it is determined by the doctor.

Antibiotics are not the most harmless medicines. And the body often reacts negatively to them, dizziness, mild nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and diarrhea may occur.

By using medications inappropriately (which is what happens if you take antibiotics when you have a cold), you risk causing even more confusion in your disturbed system. And an increase in pressure in this case is quite likely.

Flu and blood pressure

With the flu, high blood pressure is more than possible. Although the disease itself can be attributed to colds with great stretch. This is also an acute respiratory viral infection, but it is caused by special viruses A, B, C. The flu is dangerous due to its serious complications. In the early period, a bacterial infection may accompany the disease, but there are also more threatening conditions.

Attention! Those at risk for complications associated with influenza include children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

The incubation period is from a couple of hours to three days. The onset of the disease is usually acute, and the course can be mild, moderate or severe. The disease can occur with or without complications. In the clinical picture of influenza there are three main points - intoxication, catarrh, hemorrhage.

Description of the clinical picture of influenza:

1. Intoxication syndrome develops from the first hours of the illness, the temperature rises to critical levels - often reaching 40˚;
2. A person suffers from chills, a splitting headache, dizziness, and general malaise;
3. Moderate muscle pain occurs, as well as arthralgia and cramps;
4. Disturbances of consciousness often occur - the patient seems to be delirious, and hallucinations may occur during fever;
5. Fever often has a two-wave course - by the fifth to seventh day of the disease, symptoms usually subside;
6. During the febrile period, the patient’s facial skin turns red, he has a high general temperature, and dry epidermis;
7. Often the patient experiences increased heart rate and slightly decreased blood pressure;
8. Patients complain of a dry cough, sore throat, nasopharynx, and runny nose.

   

As you can see, with the flu, an initially healthy person’s blood pressure often drops. But not so significant that it could be a cause for alarm. But if a hypertensive patient is sick, the situation may be different.

ARVI, acute respiratory infections and influenza in hypertensive patients

Colds of any severity are always a big burden on the cardiovascular system of a hypertensive patient. This is recorded more often in cases of illness that are accompanied by an increase in temperature. If you self-medicate, you can harm yourself, leading to a hypertensive crisis.

If you are hypertensive and have an acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection or influenza, be sure to consult a doctor to prescribe mild and safe treatment.

For example, patients with arterial hypertension should not use vasoconstrictor nasal drops. Even a severe runny nose will have to be treated differently. And if you use drops, the course of hypertension can become acute.

The fact is that the composition of vasoconstrictor nasal medications can act not only locally, while the general narrowing of blood vessels will provoke an increase in blood pressure, tachycardia, and arrhythmia.

Perhaps the best solution to avoid causing high blood pressure during a cold would be to use homeopathic nasal drops. For example, “Aqualor” with sea water or some phyto-based drops act more gently and do not pose a threat.

But, in any case, almost no drops should be used for more than three days in a row.

Therapy

Treatment of high blood pressure includes both drug and non-drug therapy. To obtain a quick positive result, it is recommended to use these methods in combination.

Medication

Treatment of colds with hypertension is based on the severity and severity of the disease. The patient needs to visit a doctor who will monitor the development of the disease, and also remain in bed for several days. If it is not possible to visit a medical facility, it is recommended to consult by telephone. Self-medication is not appropriate.

At the initial stage of hypertension, the temperature is lowered if it exceeds 38.5°C. For this purpose, hypertensive patients are recommended to use aspirin. The drug copes with blood thinning and blood clots. The use of the drug is not recommended for persons with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as for stomach ulcers.

Paracetamol and Nurofen are replacing the drug. Use without additives. You can also use Antigrippin. The product is harmless and does not contain caffeine. Analgin is used with the permission of a doctor, as it reduces the number of white cells and reduces the body's defenses.

On a note! For arterial hypertension, nasal drops, which cause vasoconstriction, are prohibited. As a result, blood pressure increases during a cold and arrhythmia appears.

If necessary, you can use homeopathic remedies. Consumers speak of Aqualor with sea salt and Pinosol based on plant raw materials as effective means in the fight against the disease. In the absence of these medications, it is recommended to rinse the nasopharynx with saline solution.

For severe nasal congestion, antihistamines are occasionally prescribed.

They are easy to find in any pharmacy chain. However, it is better for hypertensive patients to avoid them, as they can cause a surge in blood pressure.

Non-drug

Folk remedies do not destroy the virus, but only fight the manifestation of symptoms.

Cranberry is a reliable defender in countering viral infections: it improves immunity and stabilizes the functioning of all organs.

Inhalations using essential oils of eucalyptus and fir or hot potato successfully fight colds.

Herbal infusions and decoctions with honey are valued: rosehip, raspberry, lemon, currant.

It is forbidden to be treated with vodka and alcohol and take hot baths. Unpredictable consequences are possible. The main thing is not to forget about consulting a doctor.

Various types of flu: what is the pressure?

Flu is a sudden illness. And any sudden event for the body is stress. Flu is called somatic stress, which can act as a catalyst for any chronic diseases, including hypertension. The pressure reading will depend on the severity of the flu.

Form of influenza and features of the course:

• Light form. With this option, the temperature does not rise above 38.5˚. The pulse averages 100 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is either normal or slightly elevated. But in hypertensive patients it can increase significantly even with a mild flu, so measurements should be taken regularly. Due to the general negative symptoms, the patient may not notice hypertensive manifestations.
• Average. The patient feels fever, aching joints, and sore muscles. Temperature around 39˚. The pulse rises to 120 beats per minute. He suffers from severe chills. Cough accompanies chest pain. Breathing is difficult. Blood pressure in people who do not suffer from hypertension can rise to 135/85; in hypertensive people it is usually higher.
• Heavy. In people who are not diagnosed with arterial hypertension, the pressure rises to 140/90. In some cases, it may drop sharply for no apparent reason. In hypertensive patients, blood pressure can rise significantly, to previously limiting levels. There are signs of severe intoxication - with nausea and headache. Wheezing is heard in the lungs. Pulse above 120 beats per minute.

  

Any of these conditions is a reason for medical supervision. If a hypertensive patient is offered to continue treatment in a hospital, you should not refuse - as already mentioned, the pressure can jump so much that the threat of a hypertensive crisis becomes very high.

What to do?

If a person has contracted the flu, acute respiratory viral infection, or caught a cold, then he is prescribed medications and folk remedies. Which treatment to choose depends on the severity of the disease.

During a cold, it is better to contact a specialist and consult with him about treatment. This is necessary to exclude unwanted reactions, as well as to prevent complications. The patient may think that he has a mild illness, but in fact he has contracted the flu. The doctor will be able to figure this out and prescribe effective medications taking into account the person’s blood pressure.

It is better not to self-medicate. If it is not possible to go to the hospital, you should at least consult a doctor by phone. Tell him, without hiding, about all the symptoms you have.

When the flu strikes, you cannot do without serious medications that will help fight the virus. If you do not take the necessary actions in a timely manner, complications cannot be ruled out. Blood pressure will increase and this is especially dangerous for hypertensive patients. If blood pressure is low, then nothing bad will happen due to a sudden jump. During the flu, blood pressure may rise, but then it will drop sharply. This depends on the fact that the level of hemoglobin in the blood drops during intoxication and infection and this will cause a decrease in blood pressure.

Why else can colds and blood pressure be dangerous?

Hypertensive patients, as already mentioned, are really at risk. This is a vulnerable category of patients precisely because of the high probability of self-medication - illiterate and therefore dangerous.

The vast majority of medications from the pharmacy chain that we are used to buying to fight colds contain a component such as phenylephrine. The negative feature of this ingredient is that it tends to increase blood pressure, thereby increasing cardiac workload. It is dangerous for hypertensive patients to take phenylephrine-based medications!

Let's say more, even people with normal blood pressure can take such medications only in the context of bed rest. The very powders that are actively advertised as a quick-acting remedy are a rather harsh treatment with an established function of masking symptoms.

People with chronic diseases should not get carried away with these remedies. Moreover, the advertisement shows: a person drank a couple of powders, quickly got to his feet and ran about his business. Needless to say, how dangerous such tactics are: an unrecovered body will be a target for complications and negative consequences.

What should hypertensive patients drink when they have a cold?

High blood pressure during a cold is an undesirable scenario and can be avoided. As already mentioned, you should definitely consult a doctor for an individual treatment regimen. Perhaps he will prescribe you AntiGrippin or its analogues. The good thing about this remedy is that it does not contain caffeine or that dangerous phenylephrine.

Therefore, for symptomatic treatment of colds and flu, it is preferable for people with diagnosed hypertension to use drugs such as AntiGrippin. Taking this medication does not affect blood pressure.

Symptoms of low temperature during colds

It is quite difficult to determine, based on indirect manifestations, when the temperature has dropped. Therefore, it is advisable to use a thermometer. But common symptoms indicating that the temperature is low are:

loss of strength; drowsiness; apathy; fatigue; general malaise.

Sometimes the patient becomes very irritable. In addition, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache and ringing in the ears may occur.

It is worth noting that in a child under 3 years of age, very often when there is a cold, the temperature does not rise, but rather decreases. Moreover, similar consequences occur after taking Anaferon.

In such a situation, you should not do rubbing, which can only worsen the condition. It is best to give your child:

honey; vitamins; fruits; natural juices; tea.

Applying a warm heating pad may also help.

Anti-cold inhalations: is it possible with high blood pressure?

Many patients are supporters of so-called traditional medicine. Often these recipes give some results and can correct the condition. But in difficult cases, stronger medications are usually required. Therefore, if you have the flu, you are unlikely to be cured with raspberry tea.

The most popular folk anti-cold method is inhalation. This can indeed be effective, but such therapy must be approached with caution. The meaning of the inhalation procedure is the direct penetration of the medicinal composition in the form of steam onto the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. When the composition finds itself in the area of ​​inflammation, it immediately begins to fight the pathogen.

This procedure comes in two types:

• Natural. You get a certain dose of phytoncides just by walking through the forest. Inhaling the humid air on the seashore, you also find yourself in a natural inhalation session. But the coniferous forest and the sea are a good prevention of respiratory diseases; it is not always possible to end up in these places if you have a cold.
• Artificial. And this is a more realistic opportunity to stop the symptoms of a cold - inhalation is done using a special nebulizer device or using suitable means at hand.

  

If you have an inhaler, great: the process will be controlled, competent and accurate. But using pots from which steam comes out can cause burns. So, either be highly vigilant during such therapeutic actions, or still buy an inhaler at the pharmacy - in every family today it makes sense to keep such a device, it will last a long time.

Important! You need to inhale between meals. You should not leave the house for an hour after the procedure. Breathe slowly; if you have a runny nose, breathe through your nose; if you have a sore throat or inflamed bronchi, breathe through your mouth. If your temperature is above 37.5˚, inhalations are not performed! Do not talk after inhalation for at least half an hour.

And now the most important thing is that hypertensive patients can only inhale with the permission of a doctor. This procedure is prohibited for people with high blood pressure, and it should not be used by people with other cardiovascular diseases. If your blood pressure rises after inhalation (which can also happen), complete the procedures here.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies help during the flu, but they are not able to destroy the virus, but simply relieve the symptoms of the disease. You can use cranberry juice, which improves immunity and normalizes the functioning of the body. Vitamin teas made from raspberries, gooseberries, and currants are excellent. Patients should consume honey mixed with lemon.

If the respiratory system is infected, teas with various medicinal herbs, for example, chamomile, thyme, and rose hips, will help. Fumigate the room with aromatic oils of eucalyptus and fir. Saline nasal rinses are very useful.

If your blood pressure is high, then you should not take a hot bath, treat yourself with alcohol-containing drugs, and avoid vodka with pepper at night. As for traditional recipes, it is better to consult a doctor.