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What is the Connection Between Blood Pressure and Edema?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Blood pressure and edema, a type of swelling that occurs when fluid leaks into the interstitial spaces of the body, are closely linked. Both high and low blood pressure can contribute to edema, as well as being associated with it, and treatment of edema can involve controlling blood pressure. People can limit their risks of developing edema by keeping their blood pressure in a healthy range. People at risk for edema, such as pregnant women and people with heart failure, should be alert for the signs so they can receive treatment as quickly as possible.

There are a number of reasons why fluid may leak out of the blood vessels and into the interstitial space. Vessels can become weakened, forcing fluid out, and an imbalance of salts in the body can cause fluid to be pulled out of the vessels as the body attempts to return to an isotonic state, where the balance of salts on both sides of the blood vessels is the same. High and low blood pressure are both linked with damage to the blood vessels and the development of imbalances in the composition of bodily fluids.

Pregnant women are prone to developing edema.
Pregnant women are prone to developing edema.

In the case of high blood pressure and edema, the high blood pressure causes the blood vessels to leak, leading to localized edema. The fluid loss causes the kidneys to retain more fluid as they work to maintain the needed balance of salts in the body fluids. This makes the edema worse, as the excess fluid will continue leaking out of the damaged vessels and more fluid will be retained to replace it. People with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can develop edema anywhere in the body and are at risk of a dangerous form called pulmonary edema.

Blood pressure and edema, which is a swelling that occurs when fluid leaks into the interstitial areas of the body, are closely linked.
Blood pressure and edema, which is a swelling that occurs when fluid leaks into the interstitial areas of the body, are closely linked.

Low blood pressure can also be linked with edema. People with certain chronic conditions exposing them to the risk of edema can also have low blood pressure. Circulatory conditions can lead to edema by allowing blood and fluids to pool in the extremities, and low blood pressure makes it hard for the body to circulate blood effectively to clear the fluid. In pregnancy, edema often appears in the legs due to reduced blood pressure in the blood vessels in the legs caused by pressure on the blood vessels from the swelling uterus.

The foot of a person with edema.
The foot of a person with edema.

Edema is sometimes the first sign of an underlying medical condition. People with high blood pressure and edema may be prescribed medications to reduce their blood pressure and can take other steps to moderate their blood pressure as well. Compression garments can be used in the treatment of the edema. Individuals with low blood pressure and edema will need treatment for the underlying cause of the low blood pressure.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon151881

Sequential compression devices are expensive but helpful. Otherwise massage from feet up or get one of those stretchy big rubber bands people exercise with and starting at feet wrap tightly around feet up to below knee. You've prob. tried TED hose. Elevate feet above the heart. No salt. No sitting in chair with feet in dependent position. She has to have some disease or pathology behind this in addition to age. Is the edema pitting, or painful and equal on both sides?

anon106066

my 93 year old mom has had edema on her feet for years and though doctors have run different test to find the cause, they come up finding no reason for the swelling and she has been taking bp meds and water pills prescribed by the drs and still no relief. What can she do? Please help!

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    • Pregnant women are prone to developing edema.
      By: rudisetiawan
      Pregnant women are prone to developing edema.
    • Blood pressure and edema, which is a swelling that occurs when fluid leaks into the interstitial areas of the body, are closely linked.
      By: Izaokas Sapiro
      Blood pressure and edema, which is a swelling that occurs when fluid leaks into the interstitial areas of the body, are closely linked.
    • The foot of a person with edema.
      By: Dusan Kostic
      The foot of a person with edema.
    • Blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.
      By: stockshoppe
      Blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.
    • Compression garments can help prevent severe edema.
      By: nito
      Compression garments can help prevent severe edema.
    • In some cases, low blood pressure results in edema.
      By: Monkey Business
      In some cases, low blood pressure results in edema.