High blood pressure is a health concern for many people as they age. Everything in life seems to affect blood pressure, from what you eat to your lifestyle choices. Not only is high blood pressure a trigger for heart disease, but some suggest that it also causes hair loss. But how true is this? To untangle fact from fiction, read this article from The Dermo Lab in collaboration with the dermatologist Dr. Sana Ward to find out if there’s a correlation between high blood pressure and hair loss and how to combat hair thinning in the long run.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition in which the continued force of blood flow against the walls of the arteries can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, and other health problems.
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the level of resistance the blood flow encounters in your arteries. The harder your heart has to work to pump blood through narrow arteries, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure.
Can high blood pressure cause hair loss?
Many studies show that heart disease could be one of the reasons for hair loss. In men, in particular, there is a strong link between hair loss and high blood pressure.
According to Dr. Sana Ward, high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood. Therefore, there is a correlation between hair loss and high blood pressure.
We recommend that you seek professional help if you are losing your hair, as this could be a sign of heart disease.
How can hypertension affect hair loss?
- High levels of testosterone in the blood affect hair and heart muscle.
Testosterone plays an essential role in many bodily functions. However, some of its less desirable effects occur when the hormone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT are known to cause male pattern baldness. That said, there is a correlation between hair loss and high blood pressure, as the same hormone affects both processes.
- High blood pressure damages the arteries.
High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic. The theory is that when high blood pressure restricts blood flow to the follicles, it robs the hair of nutrients essential for growth. It can therefore be a contributing factor to hair loss.
- Antihypertensive medications can have negative effects on hair.
To avoid the potential complications of uncontrolled hypertension, antihypertensive drugs are prescribed to manage it. However, in addition to their therapeutic action, they are accompanied by side effects and among these, hair loss.
Blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol) and ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, perindopril), can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle, resulting in what is known as drug-induced-alopecia. Dr. Sana Ward explains that these medications decrease blood pressure in the veins and, by default, reduce the nutrition of the hair in the sculptures, resulting in hair loss or thinning of the hair itself.
- Hair loss is treated with Minoxidil.
Another link between hair loss and hypertension is that baldness is treated with Minoxidil – a drug originally designed as an antihypertensive. Its ability to stimulate hair growth is actually a side effect called hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), especially in the areas where it is applied.
What role does stress play in high blood pressure and hair loss?
Dr. Sana Ward notes that stress plays a big role in high blood pressure and hair loss.
Stress-related hair loss is known as telogen effluvium, and it is a common cause of sudden hair loss. In general, telogen effluvium occurs when the body experiences a major shock that triggers a series of hormonal reactions.
A person with high blood pressure may be putting their body under more stress than usual. The body produces a surge of hormones to try to deal with the stressful situation, which can temporarily increase blood pressure, speed up the heartbeat and cause blood vessels to narrow. Prolonged stress and constricted blood flow can deprive hair follicles of the essential nutrients they need to grow, resulting in hair loss and thinning.
How can you reverse hair loss?
If you have recently started a new medication and have noticed thinning or hair loss, ask your doctor to switch to another medication. He or she may be able to choose a drug that doesn’t cause the same side effect. Note: Always consult a doctor before making any major changes.
People may be able to reverse hair loss by using the following remedies.
1- Diet and supplements
A balanced diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants, can help keep your hair healthy.
Research has shown that a lack of vitamins and minerals important for normal cell growth and function can contribute to hair loss. Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and can help prevent hair loss and thinning. The best vitamins for hair growth are B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin, and iron. If a person has a deficiency in certain nutrients, it can affect hair growth.
People with a deficiency can take a supplement to increase levels, which can help hair grow back.
The following food supplement provides the hair bulb with essential nutrients (such as vitamins B6, B8, E, and iron) which strengthen the hair and promote quality growth.
Ducray Anacaps Food Supplements
- Shampoos for hair loss
If you’re dealing with hair loss, you may notice that your hair is thinner and less voluminous. The good news is that an anti-hair loss shampoo can make your hair thicker and fuller, giving you the confidence you need to face your day in style.
Using the right anti-hair loss shampoo can come to your rescue and nourish your hair follicles from within. This way, you reduce the risk of hair loss.
Check out the best volumizing shampoo with strengthening formula for all hair types below.
Ducray Anaphase + Anti-Hair Loss Complement Shampoo
- Anti-hair loss lotion
A highly concentrated hair follicle-activating lotion strengthens, protects, and revitalizes the hair roots. Its high content of active ingredients stimulates the hair growth phase, helps regulate excess sebum, and activates oxygenation and hair circulation.
We recommend:
For occasional hair loss:
Ducray Creastim Anti-Hair Loss Lotion
For chronic hair loss:
Ducray Neoptide Anti-Hair Loss Lotion for Women
Ducray Neoptide Anti-Hair Loss Lotion for Men
What to do if you think your hair loss is a sign of heart disease?
With several studies showing that high blood pressure and hair loss may be linked, men who show signs of thinning hair should be encouraged to improve their cardiovascular risk profile.
Shampoos, lotions, and vitamins may be the right solution to your hair loss, but it’s also wise to pay attention to the underlying factors that may have triggered it or made it worse. By making lifestyle changes, you’ll not only increase your overall well-being and reduce high blood pressure, but you’ll also improve the integrity of your precious strands.
Hair loss has been linked to various medical conditions, which means that excessive hair loss could be a cry for help from your body.
Last Updated on April 16, 2024
