Maryland State Wire

Scientific research supports the hypothesis that having chronic sinusitis increases a person's risk for stroke.

In 2005, a prospective cohort study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy concluded that both acute and chronic sinusitis are risk markers for stroke, and they are completely separate from traditional markers for stroke.

“We see patients who are taking enormous amounts of decongestants, and it becomes a concern for older patients,” Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Maryland State Wire. “Decongestants like Claritin D treat a symptom, but they're not treating the problem, so if patients take tremendous amounts of those, it can raise their blood pressure and that is a risk factor for stroke. Be careful, especially with people who have underlying cardiovascular or just vascular disease. They certainly can be at risk there.” 

Using data from the national cohort study from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, it has been deduced that chronic sinusitis consistently increases the risk of stroke, regardless of demographic. Further study and meta-analysis review from the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases supports the fact chronic sinusitis is associated with a higher risk of stroke.

Chronic sinusitis includes symptoms such as inflammation of the sinuses, frontal sinus headache, runny nose and severe sinus headache. For it to be considered chronic illness, symptoms must have lasted longer than 12 weeks, according to Healthline. 

Sinusitis can be caused by viral upper respiratory infections or viruses like cold, bacteria, fungus and allergies. The condition is more common if you have allergies, nasal polyps or exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke, according to Merck Manual. 

Cleveland Clinic says that balloon sinuplasty is a Food and Drug Administration-approved, minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis patients. The procedure is so advanced that it can be done in a medical office setting with no anesthesia. Those who have chronic sinusitis and are at an elevated risk for stroke may be able to lower their chances slightly through the balloon sinusplasty treatment that will open up breathing ways, which allows for oxygen to be in the bloodstream and reduce the negative impact on the heart caused by the condition. 

To get more information or to take a sinus self-assessment quiz, visit Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.