We receive compensation from the providers of the services and products featured on this website. This impacts the offers’ positioning, rating & scoring. Advertising Disclosure

STDWatch
Search...

Does HIV Cause High Blood Pressure?

The information provided herein does not constitute an expert or medical advice, nor intended to replace such advice.

Sexual Health
HIV

With the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people with HIV now have a lifespan approximately equal to the general population. However, HIV can cause a variety of different health issues, like joint and muscle pain. Many people wonder about whether HIV can also affect their blood pressure.

Is it possible that, with HIV, low blood pressure or high blood pressure could be a concern? What do we know about the relationship between HIV and high blood pressure or low blood pressure?

Can HIV cause high blood pressure?

Research has found that there’s a link between HIV infection and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is very common in American adults, particularly as they get older. With HIV, there’s a slightly higher risk of developing high blood pressure as you get older.

It’s believed that HIV does not directly cause high blood pressure. Instead, there are a number of indirect ways that HIV can cause high blood pressure.

  • HIV is linked to kidney dysfunction. This can eventually lead to high blood pressure, because the kidneys are responsible for regulating fluid levels in the body.
  • People with HIV also have higher levels of cholesterol in the blood. This tends to deposit in the walls of arteries, leading to high blood pressure.
  • HIV constantly activates your immune system, leading to chronic inflammation. This inflammation tends to cause stiffening of blood vessels over time, which can also contribute to high blood pressure.
  • HIV or the meds that treat it are believed to have effects on your gut bacteria. This can contribute to a greater risk of high blood pressure, although the mechanisms behind this are not yet fully understood.
  • Stress is known to lead to high blood pressure. People living with HIV may experience significant stress due to the stigma surrounding the disease and their concerns over their own health.

While it is clear that HIV can indirectly cause hypertension, the relationship between HIV and blood pressure is still not fully understood. More research is needed in this area in order to determine the exact mechanisms by which HIV leads to high blood pressure.

What can you do about HIV and high blood pressure?

It’s important for HIV-positive people to be aware of the potential link between HIV and high blood pressure, and to monitor their blood pressure on a regular basis. If your blood pressure is high, then getting treatment can help to prevent serious and even fatal health consequences. 

Not all people who have HIV are aware of their status. This is because HIV often doesn’t cause significant symptoms until relatively late in the course of the disease. The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get a blood test, either in a clinic or using a home testing service. Remember that if you’ve had a potential exposure to the virus, the test generally won’t turn positive until weeks to months later. If you have an exposure and you get a negative test soon after, you will want to retest in about three months to make sure.

Sources

Deeks SG, Tracy R, et al. Systemic Effects of Inflammation on Health during Chronic HIV Infection. Immunity. 2013 Oct 17; 39(4): 633–645.doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.10.001

HIV and Heart Disease. National Institutes of Health. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-heart-disease. Accessed 28 April 2022.

HIV and Kidney Disease. National Institutes of Health. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-kidney-disease. Accessed 28 April 2022.

What’s the connection between high blood pressure and HIV? American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/25/whats-the-connection-between-high-blood-pressure-and-hiv. Accessed 28 April 2022



Dr. Patricia Shelton

Dr. Patricia Shelton

Jul 06, 2022

More from HIV

What is HIV?
What is HIV? We talk you through HIV and AIDs, what causes HIV, what happens if you get HIV, how long you can live with HIV, as well as how long it can remain undetectable in the body.
Updated at Jan 31, 2023

Hannah Kingston

Sexual Health
HIV
3 min read

What is AIDs?
What is AIDs? We talk you through everything you need to know about AIDs including how you can get AIDs, the risk factors, life expectancy and some more common FAQs regarding HIV and AIDs.
Updated at Feb 13, 2023

Hannah Kingston

Sexual Health
HIV
3 min read

Types of HIV Test, Symptoms and Risk Factors
How does a HIV test work? We talk you through everything you need to know about taking a HIV test from start to finish.
Updated at Jan 15, 2024

Hannah Kingston

Sexual Health
HIV
3 min read

You may also like

10 panel STD tests
Choose the right 10 panel STD tests for you in the most private, safe and affordable way possible
Updated at Oct 25, 2023

Hannah Kingston

Sexual Health
STD Tests
3 min read

Can I have an STD without knowing it?
You can have without knowing it. One of the reasons many people don't know they're infected is that many STDs don't have any symptoms.
Updated at Feb 06, 2023

Tommy Gonzales

Sexual Health
STD Symptoms
3 min read

How Do I Know Which STD Test I Need?
There are many STDs known today, making it sometimes confusing to know which test you should get and when.
Updated at Feb 06, 2023

Tommy Gonzales

Sexual Health
STD Tests
3 min read

Top 3 STD Testing Services
Most Popular
logo

9.9

    • Confidential results in 2-5 days
    • Free & discreet shipping - both ways
    • Uses hospitals labs for max accuracy
    • Medical support available 24/7
    • Consultation for treatment options
    • FSA & HSA cards accepted
    • FDA listed tests