Lyme disease can cause long-term symptoms and may affect your heart. However, Lyme disease is more likely to cause hypotension (low blood pressure).
Lyme disease is an infectious illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium and transmitted through tick bites. It can have far-reaching health complications, as the infection can enter the nervous system, joints, and heart.
There is growing evidence to suggest that Lyme infection can have an impact on blood pressure regulation and other aspects of cardiovascular health, leading to hypotension (low blood pressure) rather than hypertension (high blood pressure).
In this article, you’ll learn how Lyme disease may affect blood pressure and what the primary treatment options are, as well as other heart-related complications associated with the infection.
Lyme disease triggers a strong immune response as the body fights off the Borrelia bacteria. This immune system activation can cause inflammation throughout the body, including your blood vessels. A 2023 study found that inflammation in the vascular system, triggered by a powerful immune system response, can interfere with blood pressure regulation, potentially leading to low blood pressure.
Another impact Lyme disease can have is interfering with the healthy function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), a condition called neuroborreliosis. The ANS controls involuntary body functions, including heart rate and blood pressure. If the Lyme disease infection spreads to the nervous system, it may disrupt typical ANS function, leading to low blood pressure episodes.
A 2024 study notes that ANS disruption, also known as dysautonomia, can sometimes occur after a person has been treated for Lyme disease. And one of the main effects of Lyme disease-triggered dysautonomia is hypotension.
Similar ANS problems can also develop after treatment for COVID-19.
If you have Lyme disease, but also have hypertension, you and your doctor will decide if you need to treat the high blood pressure and the underlying Lyme disease infection separately. Both conditions can be treated at the same time.
The first step in treating Lyme disease is eradicating the infection. Depending on the stage and severity of the disease, this typically involves antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or . Effective Lyme disease treatment can help reduce inflammation and nerve dysfunction, potentially alleviating the secondary effects on blood pressure.
The
Hypertension treatment, to lower your systolic pressure to 120 mm Hg or below and diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg, may require a
Several different antihypertensive medications are available, and each one works a little differently to help reduce blood pressure. Diuretics are often the first medications prescribed, though some people require a different drug or an additional medication to be effective.
Lifestyle changes that may help you get your blood pressure into a healthy range include:
- engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least
150 minutes a week - following a Mediterranean diet or other heart-healthy eating plan
- having your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels monitored regularly and treated if they move beyond healthy ranges
- limiting alcohol intake
- maintaining a healthy weight
- avoid smoking
Having Lyme disease may impact your ability to perform some of these activities that help manage your blood pressure. It’s important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that accounts for any symptoms you may have from Lyme disease as well.
In addition to hypotension, Lyme disease is associated with a few other heart complications, such as Lyme carditis. This is one of the most well-known heart complications of Lyme disease. This condition occurs when the Borrelia bacteria infect the heart tissue, causing inflammation.
- chest pain
- heart palpitations
- shortness of breath
- light-headedness
- fainting
Severe symptoms of Lyme carditis may lead to heart block, a condition in which the electrical signals in the heart are delayed or blocked, requiring medical intervention like a pacemaker.
Myocarditis and pericarditis are two separate but similar conditions. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. Both conditions can cause chest pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. They are typically treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
If you develop chronic Lyme disease or persistent symptoms like neuroborreliosis or Lyme carditis, managing that condition, as well as hypertension, may require ongoing treatment and lifestyle adjustments. In general, the outlook is favorable for most individuals who receive timely medical care, but long-term monitoring may be necessary for those with significant heart or blood pressure issues.
The main symptoms to look for with Lyme disease include a bullseye-shaped rash, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and joint pain. If you have been in an area that is known to have ticks and you experience these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics. The earlier you start treatment, the better your chances are for a full recovery.
With proper antibiotic treatment, Lyme disease can often be cured, especially if detected and treated early. Most people can recover completely within 10 to 14 days. Chronic cases may require more extensive treatment.
Hypertension is not an expected complication of Lyme disease, though the infection can contribute to low blood pressure through problems such as inflammation and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Effective treatment of Lyme disease can help reduce the risk of hypotension and other cardiovascular conditions.
If you suspect you have Lyme disease or experience unexplained blood pressure changes, it’s crucial to seek medical care for both diagnosis and treatment. With early intervention and proper management, most individuals can recover without long-term complications.