Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Raise Blood Pressure?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Blood pressure is an important indicator of our general health and well-being that can have physical and mental effects.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves inhaling pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
Most studies have found that HBOT can raise blood pressure.
Some studies have indicated that HBOT can help reduce symptoms of hypertension and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks associated with HBOT.

Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy raise blood pressure? Well, most scientific literature suggests that Yes, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy raises blood pressure.

Blood pressure is an important indicator of our general health and well-being and can affect us both physically and mentally.

In this article, we investigate the scientific evidence that surrounds the question: does hyperbaric oxygen therapy raise blood pressure?

We assess the evidence from the research community to uncover the truth.

What is blood pressure and how it affect us?

Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, and it has a profound impact on our overall health and wellbeing.

It is determined by the volume of blood pumped by the heart and the resistance of the arteries. When the heart pumps blood, the pressure rises; when the arteries become resistant, the pressure increases even more.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause damage to the arteries, heart, and kidneys, leading to various health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, can cause dizziness, fainting, and reduced blood flow to vital organs.

Therefore, it is imperative to keep our blood pressure in check and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Works and why is beneficial?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, involves breathing in pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This is done in order to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood stream, thus helping to raise the patient’s blood pressure.

It works by exposing the patient to oxygen at a higher pressure than what is typically found at sea level. The patient enters a special chamber, which is then pressurized to 1.5 to 3 times the normal atmospheric pressure.

While inside the chamber, the patient breathes pure oxygen. This combination of increased pressure and high oxygen levels leads to several therapeutic effects, such as:

Improved Oxygen Delivery: The increased pressure allows the blood to carry more oxygen, even to areas with restricted blood flow. This can be particularly beneficial for tissues that are not receiving sufficient oxygen due to injury or medical conditions.
Reduced Inflammation: HBOT can help reduce inflammation in the body. It does this by suppressing the release of certain inflammatory molecules and by promoting the growth of new blood vessels in damaged tissues.
Enhanced Healing: The therapy can accelerate the healing process, especially in wounds, injuries, and post-surgical recovery. It is often used for non-healing wounds, such as diabetic ulcers or radiation-induced tissue damage.
Antibacterial Effects: High-pressure oxygen can be toxic to certain bacteria and can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics. It is used as an adjunctive treatment for infections.
Treatment for Decompression Sickness: HBOT is the primary treatment for decompression sickness, a condition that can affect scuba divers who ascend too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream.
Management of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: It helps to quickly eliminate carbon monoxide from the bloodstream by increasing its rate of elimination.
Management of Air Embolism: In cases of air embolism (air bubbles in the bloodstream), HBOT can reduce the size of the bubbles and promote their removal.
Neurological Conditions: Some studies suggest that HBOT may benefit conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and certain neurodegenerative diseases.
Other Conditions: HBOT is also used in the treatment of conditions like crush injuries, radiation tissue damage, and certain types of anemia.

It’s important to note that while HBOT has many potential benefits, it should be administered under the guidance of trained medical professionals. The therapy may not be suitable for everyone, and its use depends on the specific condition being treated.

Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy raise blood pressure? What the scientific community says

Several studies have evaluated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on blood pressure, with varying results.

Research #1: Influences of hyperbaric oxygen on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension

A clinical trial published back in November 2006 in the journal Archives of Medical Research, investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels.

The study involved 41 patients with hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), or both, who underwent 15-40 HBO₂ sessions.

The results showed that HBO₂ led to a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while heart rate decreased.

Blood glucose levels also decreased, particularly in diabetic patients.

The use of beta blockers amplified blood pressure elevation.

The study concluded that HBO₂ therapy raised blood pressure, lowered heart rate and blood glucose, with enhanced effects in the presence of HTN, DM, or beta blockers. The use of beta blockers for managing hypertension during HBO₂ therapy should be approached with caution.

☝️ Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are a class of medications commonly used to treat various cardiovascular conditions and other medical issues. These drugs work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) and the related hormone norepinephrine, which are responsible for the “fight or flight” response in the body.

2. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on blood pressure in patients undergoing treatment

The results of a 2017 retrospective analysis of 155 patients who received 3,147 HBO₂ treatments showed that there was a general increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following HBO₂ treatment, but the effect was not substantial.

Interestingly, the use of calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers intensified the blood pressure increase, while ACE inhibitors had a protective effect.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the change in systolic blood pressure decreased with each additional HBO₂ treatment session. In summary, HBO₂ therapy can cause a modest increase in blood pressure, with specific medications playing a role in its effects.

3. Blood Pressure Increase during Oxygen Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

A research article published in March 2017 explored the effects of oxygen supplementation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

The study involved 19 CKD patients who underwent oxygen supplementation at increasing oxygen pressures. The results indicated that oxygen supplementation led to dose-dependent increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Additionally, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased while heart rate and cardiac output decreased. Importantly, these changes in blood pressure observed during oxygen supplementation in CKD patients were not primarily controlled or influenced by the baroreceptor reflex mechanism.

This research suggests that oxygen supplementation can impact blood pressure regulation in CKD patients through non-baroreflex pathways, highlighting the complexity of blood pressure control in such individuals.

☝️ The baroreflex is a natural mechanism that uses sensors in blood vessels to regulate blood pressure. When pressure rises, it signals the heart to slow and blood vessels to relax, lowering pressure. When pressure drops, it signals the heart to speed up and blood vessels to constrict, raising pressure.

4. Magnitude and Clinical Predictors of Blood Pressure Changes in Patients Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Retrospective Study

An article published in the special issue of Environmental Physiology and Medicine: Diving and Hyperbaric Exposure, found out that patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) experience a significant increase in arterial blood pressure (ABP).

This increase is more pronounced in individuals with a history of hypertension compared to those without hypertension. The study revealed that a higher baseline arterial blood pressure (ABP) serves as a risk factor for substantial arterial blood pressure (ABP) changes after HBOT.

The research highlights the importance of clinical monitoring and pre-session ABP assessment for patients receiving HBOT, particularly those with a history of hypertension.

5. Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation on blood pressure levels of spontaneously hypertensive rats

This research article, published on 06 Apr 2009 in the Clinical and Experimental Hypertension journal, conducted a study using five-week-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

☝️ Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats are a strain of laboratory rats that are typically used as a reference or control group in hypertension and cardiovascular research. The term “normotensive” means that these rats have normal or healthy blood pressure, and they are used as a comparison to hypertensive rats, like spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which have high blood pressure and are commonly used in studies related to hypertension.

Researchers use normotensive WKY rats to understand and compare various physiological and pathophysiological processes related to blood pressure regulation, heart function, and other cardiovascular parameters.

The rats underwent hyperbaric oxygenation with increased atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration for 6 hours daily for 8 weeks.

The study monitored systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results showed that after 5 weeks, the hyperbaric group of WKY had lower systolic blood pressure compared to the normobaric group, with no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure.

In contrast, the hyperbaric group of SHR exhibited lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 3 and 7 weeks.

The study suggests that the hyperbaric oxygenation conditions effectively alleviate hypertension.

6. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy decreases blood pressure in patients with chronic wounds

In this article though, published in September 2012 in the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine journal, researchers examined the effects of a series of 20 to 40 hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) sessions on patients receiving HBO2T as an additional therapy for wound healing.

They analyzed data from 93 patients treated between 2003 and 2010 in Quebec, Canada.

Patients underwent daily 90-minute sessions of 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute.

The study found that HBO2T led to a significant decrease in heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), with the most substantial effects observed during the first and last 20 treatments.

No significant effects on diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were detected.

7. Video: HBOT does not raise blood pressure

In a video featuring Dr. Jason Sonners of HBOT USA, explains that HBOT has minimal effects on blood pressure due to Pascal’s law, which states that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is equally transmitted in all directions.

As a result, the pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber doesn’t significantly affect the blood pressure within the circulatory system. Individuals with hypertension may experience a slight increase in blood pressure during HBOT, but this is generally not a cause for concern.

Those with low blood pressure may need to be cautious when standing up after a session to avoid dizziness.

Overall, HBOT is considered a safe therapy with minimal impact on blood pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally deemed safe when administered by a medical professional. Before undergoing the treatment, it is important to consult your doctor to discuss any potential risks. Adverse side effects are typically minimal, but it is wise to be aware of them.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can cause short-term side effects such as ear and sinus pain, temporary nearsightedness, and oxygen toxicity. Long-term effects may include middle ear damage, pulmonary barotrauma, and lung injury. It is particularly essential to be aware of these effects, as they can be quite profound. In addition, those with existing medical conditions may be more susceptible to experiencing negative effects.

The typical length of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session varies, but typically lasts anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. The duration of the session depends on the individual patient’s needs and the protocol of the treatment.

Yes, there are many lifestyle changes that can be made to improve blood pressure. These include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol consumption. It is also important to quit smoking and lose excess weight, as these actions can have a significant positive impact in high blood pressure.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically covered by insurance, depending on the policy. Coverage may vary, so it is best to check with your provider. It is particularly essential to understand how your policy may affect your coverage, as the costs can be quite huge. If your policy does not cover it, there are other ways of coping with the costs, such as seeking out special financing options.

Bottom Line

The bottom line of all the research discussed above, is that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can have varying effects on blood pressure, depending on factors like the number of sessions, individual patient characteristics (such as the presence of hypertension or diabetes), and specific medications used.

In general, HBOT may lead to modest increases in blood pressure, although the extent of this increase is not typically substantial. Some studies have shown that certain medications, like calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers, can intensify the blood pressure response, while ACE inhibitors may have a protective effect.

However, further research is needed to fully understand and manage these effects.

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Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Raise Blood Pressure? What Research Says