Dallas City Wire

Experts at Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers are promoting Stroke Awareness Month and the mounting evidence that chronic sinusitis can actually increase your risk for stroke.

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

Using data from the national cohort study from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, it has been concluded that chronic sinusitis consistently increases the risk for stroke, regardless of demographic.

“We know that breathing issues at night can cause hypertension. Untreated hypertension, most certainly, increases the risk of stroke, so maybe that's the best kind of pathway where we can get from chronic rhinosinusitis… to something like stroke,” Dr. Monty Trimble at Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Center told Dallas City Wire.

Further study and meta-analysis review from The Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases supports the facts: Chronic sinusitis is associated with higher risk of stroke.

Acute or chronic sinusitis come with various symptoms, including inflammation of the sinus, frontal sinus headache and runny nose to severe sinus headache. Sinusitis is classified as "chronic" if the symptoms have lasted 12 weeks or longer. 

According to Merck Manual, sinusitis can be caused by viral upper respiratory infection or viruses like a cold, bacteria, fungus and allergies. It is more common if you have allergies, nasal polyps or exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke.

Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis, according to Cleveland Clinic. This simple procedure can be done in a medical office setting without the need for 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 learn more or to take a sinus self-assessment quiz, visit Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.