New Delhi: Depression and inflammation resulting from chronic pain , persisting for longer than three months, could increase the chances of high blood pressure in adults, according to an analysis.

The study, published in the Hypertension journal , reviewed data of over two lakh adults from the UK Biobank . Nearly 10 per cent of the individuals were found to have developed a high blood pressure after an average follow-up period of 13.5 years.

People with widespread chronic pain had the highest risk of developing high blood pressure -- a 75 per cent increased risk compared to those without pain.

Short-term pain was associated with a 10 per cent higher risk and localised chronic pain was linked with a 20 per cent higher risk, the study said.

"The more widespread their pain

See Full Page