The Malaria-High Blood Pressure Hypothesis

Abstract

Rationale: Several studies have demonstrated links between infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions. Malaria and hypertension are widespread in many low- and middle-income countries, but the possible link between them has not been considered.

Objective: In this article, we outline the basis for a possible link between malaria and hypertension and discuss how the hypothesis could be confirmed or refuted.

Methods and results: We reviewed published literature on factors associated with hypertension and checked whether any of these were also associated with malaria. We then considered various study designs that could be used to test the hypothesis. Malaria causes low birth weight, malnutrition, and inflammation, all of which are associated with hypertension in high-income countries. The hypothetical link between malaria and hypertension can be tested through the use of ecological, cohort, or Mendelian randomization studies, each of which poses specific challenges.

Conclusions: Confirmation of the existence of a causative link with malaria would be a paradigm shift in efforts to prevent and control hypertension and would stimulate wider research on the links between infectious and noncommunicable disease.

Keywords: arterial stiffness; blood pressure; epidemiology; inflammation; malaria.

Figure.

The malaria-high blood pressure hypothesis. Malaria is known to cause low birth weight, inflammation as well as stunting. All these factors have been separately associated with the development of high blood pressure in high-income countries. Studies are needed to confirm whether malaria contributes to the development of high blood pressure in low- and middle-income countries.