A Retrospective Study of the Relationship Between Hypertension and Vestibular Disorders in Middle-Aged Women With and Without HIV

Authors

Helen S Cohen
Michael W Plankey
Deanna Ware

Publication Date

2-1-2023

Journal

Cureus

DOI

10.7759/cureus.34988

PMID

36938264

PMCID

PMC10019901

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-14-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

dizziness, vertigo, vestibular testing, hypertension, hiv

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients often conflate the problem of lightheadedness from hypertension (HTN) and vertigo from a vestibular impairment, describing both problems as dizziness. The goal of the study was to learn if there is a relationship between measures of vestibular function and blood pressure.

METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of women who participated in a longitudinal study of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and a control cohort of age-matched women without HIV. We used data from the point in time when participants were tested for vestibular functions with bi-thermal caloric tests and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; the data also included the blood pressure of the participants.

RESULTS: High odds ratios (1.48 to 2.05) suggest a relationship between HTN and vestibular impairment, although the sample size was too small to reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: The data suggest that high blood pressure may be related to vestibular impairments. Clinicians whose patients complain of vertigo and balance disorders consistent with vestibular impairments should consider blood pressure as a related problem during the initial visit.