Patients with allergic diseases are more likely to develop this condition

Allergic reactions are very diverse and oscillate from one end of the spectrum to the other. While some reactions don’t require medical attention to resolve, others require immediate intervention. To make matters worse, new research has uncovered a link between allergic disease and cardiovascular disease.

The study, published in the American College of Cardiology, found that adults with a history of allergic conditions such as eczema, hives, asthma, hay fever and food allergies were at higher risk of high blood pressure. Those who had asthma were most at risk. The study confirmed a long-standing association between allergies and heart disease.

Although asthma and allergic reactions are considered different diseases, they often coincide with external substances (e.g. pollen) that can trigger both reactions at the same time.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash

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Scientists tested their data on 10,000 allergy sufferers between the ages of 18 and 57 who took part in a national health survey. They found that people between the ages of 39 and 57 had the highest risk of coronary artery disease.

Although researchers don’t know why this connection exists, they believe it has something to do with people’s inflammatory systems. During an allergen attack, the immune system increases blood flow to the affected area, which can trigger inflammation to a level that can quickly become problematic.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection and the fight against a variety of pathogens. But it’s also linked to a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and more.

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Interestingly, inflammation also plays a major role in COVID-19. Infection with the virus triggers a strong response from the body’s immune system, which can then lead to organ damage and long-term consequences. For those struggling with long-standing COVID, some studies have found links between the condition and a prolonged immune system response that can last up to eight months.