New research shows that allergic reactions have a connection to heart conditions.
Allergic reactions vary greatly, swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other. While some responses don’t need medical attention to resolve, others need immediate intervention. To make matters worse, new research has discovered a link between allergic diseases and cardiovascular ones.
The study, published in the American College of Cardiology, found that adults with a history of allergic disease, such as eczema, hives, asthma, hay fever and food allergies, had a higher risk of high blood pressure. Those who had asthma were at the greatest risk. The sstudy confirmed a link between allergies and heart disease that has existed for some time.
While asthma and allergic reactions are considered different diseases, they often coincide with external substances (pollen, for example) capable of prompting both reactions at the same time.
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Scientists tested their data against 10,000 allergy sufferers between the ages fo 18-57 who participated in a National Health Interview Survey. They found that subjects between the ages of 39 to 57 had the highest risk for coronary heart disease.
While researchers don’t know why this link exists, they believe it has something to do with people’s inflammatory systems. When there’s an allergen attack, the immune system increases blood flow to the affected area, which can trigger inflammation to a degree that can quickly turn problematic.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection and fighting off a variety of pathogens. But it’s also connected to a variety of chronic conditions that include diabetes, high blood pressure, and more.
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Interestingly enough, inflammation also plays a big part in COVID-19. The virus’ infection triggers a strong response from the body’s immune system, which can then result in organ damage and long-term repercussions. For those struggling with long COVID, some studies have found links between the condition and a prolonged response from the immune system, one that can last for up to eight months.
