Atrophy and Other Effects of High Blood Pressure on Tendons and Joints

There is nothing more complex or difficult to explain than the effects of high blood pressure (hypertension) on tendons and joints. If you are familiar with high blood pressure, you already know that it is the abnormal reading of a person’s systolic pressure (pressure phase) and diastolic pressure (resting phase). The historic cutoff for the diagnosis of high blood pressure has been 140 systolic over 90 diastolic (140/90) although, current medical wisdom is beginning to espouse 130/80-86 as the numbers to shoot for.

As explained to me by my rheumatologist, effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints often start with “The Depression Cycle.” When one feels bad from untreated high blood pressure (one may not even know the cause), they do not move; they remain dormant. This inactivity not only can cause depression, which due to hormonal release can actually cause pain, but it will stiffen the tendons and joints; the tendons will actually atrophy.

I experienced this sensation myself when initially diagnosed with secondary hypertension. Exercising made me orthostatic (dizzy) so I tried to avoid the feeling. This resulted in my tendons and joints stiffening and aching.

However, as with most medical situations, there is a basic and most often cited reason for certain conditions and effects. The effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints is the deprivation of effective blood flow, or, putting it another way, the tendons and joints do not get the oxygen and nourishment that they need which causes pain and stiffness to varying degrees. This is verified in The Journal of Orthopedic Research which indicates that tourniquet use damages the Achilles tendon.

While high blood pressure is often called “The Silent Killer,” the side effects often create symptoms. Tendon and joint pain or stiffness can be signs that one’s high blood pressure is not under good control. Sadly, a person not being treated for high blood pressure may not even know that high blood pressure is affecting their tendons and joints; they may have pain and stiffness and attribute these symptoms to the wrong cause; “aging” is a common scapegoat.

Perhaps one of the most dangerous effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints doesn’t occur from high blood pressure at all but from the treatment for high blood pressure. As described in Health in Plain English, there are certain medications that create a terrible condition called “gout” that actually destroys the joints and deforms them as well. The medication family most responsible for this result is the family of diuretics Health in Plain English; these medications are instrumental in the removal of fluids. (Urination)

What can be done to minimize the effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints? The following examples are well known to anyone who is being treated for hypertension, as I am.

The very first thing you want to do is to make sure that if you have high blood pressure it is being treated effectively. It is very important to drink water. I once heard water referred to as “God’s fruit juice”. While this was said in jest, it is not far from the truth.

It is important to take your medication exactly as directed by your physician. If you ever have a question, call your local pharmacist. I have found my pharmacist to be a great source of information.

To minimize the effects of high blood pressure on your tendons and joints it is important to exercise. Exercise keeps the tendons stretched and the joints mobile. Further, the water keeps blood volume high so that with effective blood movement from regular exercise your tendons and joints will get the nourishment they need.

Make sure and report any medication side effects to your physician. This is especially true if you are on multiple medications. It seems to me that to get familiar with gout symptoms is a smart thing to do because gout is one condition you want to avoid especially if it is secondary to medications for high blood pressure.

There is no question that the effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints can be severe, however, following a few simple rules and some old-fashioned common sense can keep you safe and the effects of high blood pressure, if any, minimal.

Sources:

“Secondary Gout”, Health in Plain English; www.healthplainenglish.com

Drs. Mat Astroom and Nils Westlin “Blood Flow in the Human Achilles Tendon Assessed by Laser Doppler Flowmetry”, pp. 246-252, Journal of Orthopedic Research

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