Can high blood pressure contribute to cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is damaged and replaced by scar tissue, leading to impaired liver function. Common causes of cirrhosis include long-term heavy alcohol use, viral hepatitis, and fatty liver disease, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can also affect liver health.

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As the disease progresses, complications such as portal hypertension, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver failure may occur. Cirrhosis is often irreversible, so early detection and prompt treatment are important.

Meanwhile, high blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure of blood against the artery walls is consistently high. Chronic high blood pressure leads to many health problems such as heart disease and stroke. In addition, recent studies have also shown that high blood pressure can directly affect liver health.

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Blood pressure affects liver damage through the following mechanisms:

Increased pressure in the portal venous system

High blood pressure increases pressure in the portal vein, leading to congestion in the liver. This in turn promotes fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis.

Portal hypertension is a condition in which the pressure in the portal venous system is higher than normal. The portal venous system is a network of blood vessels that carries blood from the digestive tract, spleen, and pancreas to the liver.

Endothelial dysfunction

High blood pressure can damage the endothelium, the innermost layer of blood vessels, and reduce the ability to produce nitric oxide. This condition, over time, reduces blood flow to the liver, leading to liver tissue damage.

Increased inflammatory response

High blood pressure is also linked to a condition called systemic inflammation. Inflammation in the body can worsen liver inflammation, which can promote the progression of liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

To protect liver health, people with high blood pressure need to follow their doctor's instructions for blood pressure control. In addition, they also need to have regular liver function tests to detect early signs of liver damage, according to Medical News Today .