Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a specialized treatment where patients breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to address various medical conditions. As its popularity grows, questions have emerged about the therapy’s impact on heart rate and blood pressure, especially for those with circulatory concerns.
This article will explore how HBOT influences blood pressure and discuss which patients may need closer monitoring.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves exposing patients to oxygen at pressures greater than normal atmospheric levels, commonly in either a monoplace chamber designed for single occupancy or a multiplace chamber for multiple patients. The therapy delivers high concentrations of oxygen, which can accelerate healing, manage decompression sickness, treat carbon monoxide poisoning, and help patients with chronic wounds or diabetic foot complications. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society guidelines dictate that sessions typically occur at treatment pressures around 2.0 to 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for set amounts of time.
To ensure safety and optimal results, HBOT sessions should be administered in specialized wellness centers or hospital facilities equipped with trained healthcare professionals and appropriate monitoring.
How HBOT Affects the Cardiovascular System
Breathing pure oxygen in the chamber leads to increased oxygenation of tissues and numerous hemodynamic effects. Hyperbaric oxygenation causes vasoconstriction, the narrowing of blood vessels, which can impact vascular resistance and blood supply.
These vascular changes may alter heart rate and blood pressure in patients undergoing therapy, with effects varying by individual and duration of exposure. The therapy also enhances new blood vessel formation and can improve oxygen delivery to damaged tissues.
Research on HBOT and Blood Pressure
Studies measuring blood pressure in patients exposed to higher-pressure oxygen indicate that the effects of HBOT on arterial blood pressure are generally modest and often transient. Research, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, suggests that there may be a statistically significant but small increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during treatment sessions, particularly at air pressures like 2.4 ATA.
However, most patients—including those with and without hypertension—do not experience dangerous increases in blood pressure. Medications like angiotensin II receptor blockers or beta-blockers may modulate these responses, and it is important for hypertensive patients to be closely monitored.
Magnitude and Clinical Relevance of Blood Pressure Changes
For the majority of patients, changes in blood pressure measurements immediately following therapy sessions are clinically minimal. The average increase in mean arterial pressure and systolic blood pressure is not usually significant enough to warrant discontinuing therapy in otherwise healthy patients.
However, the effect of this therapy can be more pronounced in patients with poorly controlled hypertension or severe cardiovascular disease, making individualized assessment crucial. Oxygen therapy in acute clinical scenarios is typically well-tolerated, but ongoing monitoring helps ensure safety.
Safety Precautions and Monitoring
At reputable wellness centers offering HBOT, clinicians assess blood pressure before, during, and after each session. Patients with chronic vascular conditions or who require hypertensive medications are monitored for hemodynamic effects and adverse effects, including rare complications like oxygen toxicity or middle ear barotrauma.
Routine monitoring is vital for those at risk of an increase in blood pressure, and any statistically significant changes may prompt adjustments in therapy or additional evaluation.
Adverse Effects and How to Manage Them
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally safe, adverse effects related to the circulatory system may occur, including hypertension or, rarely, low blood pressure. Other possible complications include middle ear discomfort, ocular changes, and, in high exposures, oxygen toxicity. If a patient demonstrates a substantial or sustained increase in blood pressure, clinicians may adjust treatment pressure or explore alternative therapies.
Patients with uncontrolled or severe hypertension, as well as those with underlying vascular or cardiac disease, should speak with a physician experienced in hyperbaric medicine before beginning treatment.
Consultation and open communication with a healthcare provider help weigh risks and benefits, manage side effects, and tailor the therapy to each patient’s cardiovascular health.
Final Thoughts from Quantum Wellness Center
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be carefully managed in patients with and without cardiovascular concerns, but current research suggests only modest and usually temporary increases in blood pressure. With proper blood pressure monitoring and individualized care at a trusted hyperbaric center, HBOT is generally safe and effective for a wide range of conditions.
At Quantum Wellness Center, we understand the important role hyperbaric oxygen therapy plays in promoting recovery and overall health. Our HBOT services in Sarasota, FL, ensure a safe and controlled environment for patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatments, whether they are recovering from injury, managing chronic health issues, or seeking to boost their general wellness.
