High levels of uric acid linked to high blood pressure

Washington, Nov 08 (ANI): A new study has revealed that people with high levels of uric acid in their blood are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

Hyperuricemia is an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood that can lead to gout.

Researchers conducted an analysis of 18 studies that included at least 100 participants of all ages who were studied for at least one year and who did not have high blood pressure at the beginning of the study in which they participated.

Peter Grayson, a rheumatologist at the Boston Medical Center and lead investigator in the study, said most of the studies his team reviewed accounted for factors that are traditionally known to increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure - such as age, family history, weight and tobacco use.

The researchers noted that participants with hyperuricemia were more than 40 percent more likely to later develop high blood pressure than participants without hyperuricemia.

Women with the highest uric acid levels and people who develop high levels of uric acid at a relatively young age are especially at risk for developing high blood pressure.

"The results of this study show that people with elevated uric acid levels are at an increased risk for the future development of hypertension, but this does not mean that uric acid directly cause elevated blood pressure. More studies are needed to clarify that question," explained Grayson.

The research was presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta. (ANI)