Can Hypertension Cause Hair Loss?

There's a lot of information on the web about hypertension and hair loss, but is there a link between the two? Can high blood pressure cause hair loss?

As people get older, one of the significant health concerns is the development of high blood pressure. It would appear that everything in life, from the food you eat to the decisions you make about your lifestyle, might affect your blood pressure.

Hair transplant surgeons advise their patients to check for hair shedding, thinning, and balding.

Monitoring your hair's health isn't only about keeping up appearances, though. An ever-expanding body of studies suggests a close relationship between healthy hair and one's mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

There are many well-documented ways in which one's manner of life can have a favourable (or negative) effect on hair health, including stress-related shedding and loss due to overzealous styling.

Researchers have just recently uncovered a fresh relationship between one's head of hair and the state of their heart. Whether or not hypertension directly causes hair loss is still up for debate, but the two conditions are strongly connected.

In this post, we'll take a look at what's known about the possible connection between hypertension and hair loss.

We'll also share some tips on how to lower your blood pressure if you're struggling with hypertension. So, read on to learn more!

What Exactly Is High Blood Pressure, Anyway?

The constant pushing of blood against the artery walls that characterises high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and other ailments.

How much blood your heart pumps and how much resistance your blood flow encounters in your arteries are the two main factors in establishing your blood pressure reading.

High blood pressure is a direct result of the increased effort required by the heart to circulate blood through constricted blood vessels.

What are the Root Causes of Hypertension?

There is a widespread misconception that one's weight is the single most reliable sign of high blood pressure; however, this is not always the case.

If a person does not live a healthy lifestyle, they can raise their risk of cardiovascular disease even if they have normal body weight. If any of the following apply to you, you have a higher risk of coronary heart disease and poor heart health:

• Consume an unhealthy amount of salt while you are eating.
• Rarely engages in physical activity
• Coffee consumption should be reduced.
• Drink an unsafe amount of alcohol.
• Are overweight
• Are over 65
• Deal with persistent and ongoing stress.
• Have a habit of causing regular disruptions to sleeping patterns
• Exist in abject poverty
• Have CAD-afflicted relatives
• Smoke

Modifying your lifestyle to make it healthier for your heart can have a favourable impact on your health in general and, as a result, minimise the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Can Hair Loss Be Linked to Hypertension?

There is a significant correlation, particularly among men, between thinning hair and hypertension, which is another name for high blood pressure.

In terms of the science behind the connection between high blood pressure and hair loss, there isn't a whole lot of hard evidence that can be found to back up this assertion.

It is safe to claim that having high blood pressure or heart disease may contribute to hair loss; however, it is not certain that each of these conditions truly causes hair loss on its own.

When there is an issue with the heart, one of the earliest symptoms that manifest itself is a loss of hair.

If you notice that you are losing your hair, you should get the advice of a specialist as soon as possible because this could be an early warning sign that you have heart disease.

Many researchers have established a link between hair loss and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, numerous investigations have established a link between hypertension and cardiovascular illness.

Both hypertension and cardiac disease can lead to hypertension. Heart disease and high blood pressure have been linked to hair thinning, although the cause is unclear.

It is important to note that the type of hair loss that is associated with hypertension is known as vertex hair loss, which refers to hair loss at the top or crown of the head rather than hair loss along the temples or a typical receding hairline. This type of hair loss occurs at the top of the head.

Hair Loss and High Blood Pressure: Possible Causes

It has been hypothesised that elevated blood pressure could be responsible for a number of other symptoms, including hair loss. A number of theories have been offered by specialists, which we shall go through in more detail below.

High Testosterone Affects Hair and Cardiac Muscle

The hormone testosterone plays a significant role in a wide variety of physiological processes. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, is responsible for the hormone's undesirable effects.

High levels of the hormone DHT have been linked to male pattern baldness. It can harm the heart because cardiac cells have receptors that can bind to male hormones.

Testosterone injections into male rats quickly resulted in the growth of a heart significantly larger than in the control animals, proving the point. Athletes who use testosterone and other androgenic drugs to improve their performance also risk developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or stroke.

Having said that, research has shown that there is a link between the loss of hair and hypertension because the same hormone is responsible for both processes.

Vascular Health Is Compromised by Hypertension

High blood pressure can also lead to artery damage because it reduces the elasticity of the blood vessels.

Unfortunately, hypertension is associated with other health problems, such as abdominal obesity, prediabetes, and high cholesterol, all of which form a group of heart disease risks known as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).

Because of the higher risk of complications that can be life-threatening or fatal, it is important to treat Metabolic Syndrome as soon as possible.

Angina chest pain occurs when the heart's arteries become narrowed. It is possible to have a stroke if the brain's arteries are compromised in any way. These are two potentially life-threatening conditions.

Of course, this also affects the arteries that supply oxygen and blood to hair follicles.

According to this theory, hair growth is stunted because high blood pressure limits the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. The possibility exists, then, that it contributes to hair thinning.

Antihypertensives Medications Can Harm Hair

In order to head off complications from uncontrolled hypertension, antihypertensive medication is typically prescribed to patients with hypertension who need management. While these treatments can be lifesaving, they do not come without side effects, and hair loss is just one of them.

It's true that the association between hypertension and hair loss is tenuous at best, but that doesn't mean you should disregard the risk factors.

Having high blood pressure may not be the actual cause of your hair thinning. Some blood pressure medications have been linked to hair loss, so it's possible that yours is to blame.

Lisinopril, perindopril, and other angiotensin-converting enzymes ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers (such as atenolol and metoprolol) are commonly used to treat hypertension. Unhappily, they have been associated with temporary hair loss, though this adverse effect has only been seen in a small percentage of users.

However, the likelihood of hair loss as a result of medication varies widely from one person to the next and from one medication to the next.

However, other medications have a strong association with causing hair loss, while others may cause hair loss in some people but not in others.

Consult a doctor if you notice that you are losing more hair than usual, as this may be a side effect of your blood pressure medication and needs to be dealt with carefully.

When discontinuing a prescribed medication, you should always consult with your doctor first. Depending on the severity of your hypertension, your medication may be changed or even stopped altogether.

Minoxidil Is the Medication That Is Used to Cure Hair Loss

Another link between hypertension and hair loss is pattern baldness, which can be treated with minoxidil, a medication originally developed as an antihypertensive. To combat male-pattern baldness, minoxidil was created.

Its ability to stimulate hair growth, known as hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), is a side effect, especially in the areas where it is applied; however, the mechanism by which Minoxidil causes hair regeneration is still unknown.

Restoring hair is a side effect of this medication, not its primary purpose, which is to stop further hair loss.

Why It's Important to See a Doctor About Hair Loss and Health

The findings of the researchers are considered significant for at least two different reasons. To begin, the research issues a strong warning to younger men and women who are just beginning to experience hair loss for a number of reasons.

Because there is such a significant association between thinning hair and hypertension, people who notice that they are thinning their hair would be prudent to talk to a doctor about the state of their physical health.

The rise in blood pressure that occurs as a result of hypertension forces the heart to work harder in order to maintain normal blood circulation. Because of this, a patient's risk of having a heart attack or a stroke may increase with time.

Additionally linked to vascular illnesses, renal ailments, and a reduced life expectancy, hypertension is a major health risk.

In addition to discussing these concerns with a medical professional, persons who are going through hair loss might also desire to have a blood test done to evaluate how well their hormones are functioning.

Second, the researchers argue that this study, along with others like it, helps to raise awareness about the possibility that hair can serve as an external barometer for an individual's internal health.

Keeping an eye on one's hair for telltale symptoms of thinning or shedding can ultimately serve as an early warning indication that a more serious health issue is present.

In turn, people who recognise the hazards connected with hair loss are more likely to visit a physician when it occurs, leading to early identification and treatment of the condition.

Conclusion

Surgeons who do hair transplants often give their patients the advice to monitor their heads for signs of hair loss, thinning, and balding.

There is a growing amount of evidence that points to a connection between having good hair and one's overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

The question of whether or not hypertension causes hair loss directly is still open for discussion; however, there is a clear connection between the two illnesses.

There is a considerable connection, particularly in men, between the thinning of hair and elevated blood pressure, and this connection is particularly strong.

If you have noticed that you are losing your hair, you should consult with a professional as soon as you can. They will be able to help you determine the cause of your hair loss.

It's possible that this is an early indicator that you have some form of heart disease. The presence of high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has been linked to male pattern baldness.

When a person has high blood pressure, the quantity of blood that is able to flow to their follicles is reduced. This, in turn, deprives the hair of the essential nutrients it needs to continue growing.

There is a correlation between hypertension and other health problems, such as abdominal obesity, prediabetes, and excessive cholesterol levels. The association between high blood pressure and hair loss is only tenuous at best.

Some people may experience hair loss as a side effect of other drugs, while others may not. It is imperative that you seek the guidance of a trained medical expert if you notice that you are shedding more hair than usual as a result of the negative effects of the blood pressure medications you are taking.

At least two distinct explanations support the conclusion that the findings of the researchers deserve to be regarded as noteworthy.

Because there is such a big relationship between thinning hair and hypertension, those who see that they are losing more and more of their hair would be wise to consult with a medical professional about the matter.

Loss of hair can ultimately serve as an early warning indication that there is present a more serious health condition.

Content Summary

• Hypertension and hair loss are topics that have received a lot of attention on the internet recently
• One of the primary concerns that people have regarding their health as they become older is the likelihood of developing high blood pressure.
• It would appear that every aspect of your life, from the choices you make about the food you consume to the decisions you make about how you choose to live your life, could have an impact on your blood pressure.
• However, maintaining a healthy appearance is not the only reason to pay attention to the condition of your hair.
• There is a growing amount of evidence that points to a connection between having good hair and one's overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
• There are a number of well-documented ways in which an individual's way of life can have a beneficial (or unfavourable) effect on the health of their hair, some of which include shedding as a result of stress and loss as a result of overzealous styling.
• Researchers have just lately found a new connection between the status of one's heart and the state of their head of hair.
• If you are battling hypertension, we will also provide some advice on how to lower your blood pressure.
• It is a common fallacy that a person's weight is the single most dependable marker that they have high blood pressure; however, this is not always the case.
• While you are eating, you should not put in your body an unhealthy amount of salt.
• Consume an amount of alcohol that is harmful to your health.
• There is a considerable association, particularly among men, between the thinning of hair and hypertension, which is another name for high blood pressure. This correlation is particularly strong in those with receding hairlines.
• There isn't a whole lot of concrete data to back up this claim when it comes to the research that underpins the connection between high blood pressure and hair loss.
• It is safe to say that having high blood pressure or heart disease may contribute to hair loss; however, it is not known that each of these disorders genuinely causes hair loss on its own in and of itself.
• The loss of hair is one of the earliest signs that there may be a problem with the heart, and it is also one of the most noticeable symptoms.
• If you see that you are losing your hair, you should seek the advice of a professional as soon as possible because this could be an early warning sign that you have heart disease. If you discover that you are losing your hair, you should acquire the advice of a specialist as soon as possible.
• Researchers from all around the world agree that there is a connection between cardiovascular problems and hair loss.
• In addition, a connection between hypertension and cardiovascular sickness has been demonstrated by a significant number of studies.
• Although the exact reason why heart disease and high blood pressure are associated with hair thinning is unknown, the two conditions have been linked together.
• It has been postulated that high blood pressure could be the root cause of a variety of other symptoms, including hair loss, and this idea has been supported by evidence.
• Testosterone is a vital hormone that plays a role in a variety of different physiological processes throughout the body.
• It is well known that having an abundance of the hormone DHT can lead to male pattern baldness in men.
• Even sportsmen who take testosterone and other androgenic medicines to boost their performance face the risk of acquiring high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke when they do so. This is especially true for those athletes who take the drugs for an extended period of time.
• In spite of this, studies have revealed that there is a connection between the thinning of hair and high blood pressure. This is due to the fact that the same hormone is responsible for both of these processes.
• If you have high blood pressure, your arteries are less elastic than they should be, which increases the risk of damage to those blood vessels. This is another possible explanation.
• Therefore, in accordance with this theory, having high blood pressure decreases the volume of blood that is able to go to the follicles, which, in turn, deprives the hair of the essential nutrients that it needs to grow.
• As a consequence of this, there is a possibility that it could have a role in the thinning of hair.
• In spite of the fact that there is only a tenuous connection between high blood pressure and hair loss, there are a few elements that must not be overlooked.
• In point of fact, it is feasible that the thinning of your hair is not at all due to the fact that you have high blood pressure.
• It is possible that the medication you use to control your high blood pressure is the cause of the hair loss you are experiencing.
• If the side effects of your blood pressure medications are causing you to lose more hair than usual, you need to seek the counsel of a skilled medical practitioner in order to treat the situation in a safe manner order to avoid any potential complications.
• If you are taking a medication that has been prescribed for you, you should never discontinue taking it without first consulting your physician.
• It is possible that your medication may need to be changed or that it will be stopped altogether after taking into account the severity of your hypertension.
• At least two distinct explanations support the conclusion that the findings of the researchers deserve to be regarded as noteworthy.
• To begin, the study sends a stern warning to younger men and women who are just beginning to experience hair loss for a number of different reasons. This can be for a variety of reasons.
• People who notice that they are losing their hair would be wise to consult a physician about the condition of their physical health because there is such a big relationship between thinning hair and hypertension.
• The increase in blood pressure that happens as a direct result of hypertension causes the heart to work harder in order to maintain regular blood circulation. This is necessary in order to prevent further complications from the condition.
• As a result of this, there is a possibility that a patient's risk of having a heart attack or a stroke will grow over the course of their treatment.
• Hypertension is a major health risk that has been related to a decreased life expectancy as well as an increased risk of developing vascular and renal diseases.
• In addition to discussing these concerns with a qualified medical professional, individuals who are experiencing hair loss may also wish to have a blood test performed to evaluate how well their hormones are functioning. This can be done in addition to discussing these concerns with a qualified medical professional.
• Second, the researchers contend that this study, along with others that are similar to it, helps to increase awareness about the idea that an individual's hair can serve as an external barometer for the individual's interior health.
• Keeping a close watch on one's hair for telltale indicators of thinning or shedding can ultimately act as an early warning indication that a more significant health issue is present in the body.
• People who are aware of the potential risks associated with hair loss are more inclined to seek medical attention when the problem manifests itself, which ultimately leads to the condition being diagnosed and treated more quickly.

FAQs About Hair Loss

Will High Blood Pressure Make Your Hair Fall Out?

Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure.

Can Heart Problems Cause Your Hair to Fall Out?

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients are known to have significantly higher scores for baldness (receding frontal hairline, a critical bald area, and total or subtotal hair loss) as well as a higher risk for blood pressure and smoking habit.

Is Hair Loss a Symptom of Congestive Heart Failure?

Losing your hair could be the first visible sign of heart disease – but only if it is from the top of your head. A review of studies involving almost 40,000 men has found that those with male pattern baldness – losing hair from the crown of their head – had up to a 70-cent increased risk of heart disease.

What Can Suddenly Cause Hair Loss?

Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions.

Other Possible Causes

• Surgery.
• Giving birth.
• Getting a divorce or losing a job.
• Having a high fever.
• Recovering from an illness.

Is Hair Loss From High Blood Pressure Reversible?

Medications to treat high blood pressure could leave you with significant hair loss. On the upside, it's not very common, and the hair loss is likely reversible. Switching medications or exploring other possible reasons for your hair loss may help.