East Hillsborough News

• Sinusitis sufferers could be at risk for heart disease if they don't seek treatment.

• Multiple studies have shown that acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis can potentially lead to stroke.

• A balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can help sinus sufferers and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

Many sinusitis sufferers are unaware of the correlation between chronic sinusitis and inflammation, but Dr. Mariah Pate of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers told East Hillsborough News that this correlation can put patients at a higher risk of having a stroke and the complications that come with it.

"Those who have sinusitis have a greater risk for stroke, and that's due to the chronic inflammation that is happening in the sinuses," Pate said. "Obviously, the sinuses are closely connected to the rest of the head, and the brain is right there. So that inflammation can lead to an increased risk of stroke and complications from a stroke."

According to Next Avenue, sinusitis causes inflammation in the sinus cavities, which, if left untreated, can lead to an increased risk for stroke, heart disease, neurological disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. For this reason, it's crucial for patients who struggle with sinusitis to seek treatment before potentially developing medical conditions with irreversible negative effects. 

According to a research article published by the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy in 2012, a study found that acute and chronic sinusitis are risk markers for strokes and are completely divorced from traditional stroke markers. A research article published by PLoS ONE in 2018 used data from a national cohort study, finding that chronic sinusitis consistently increases the risk of having a stroke, regardless of demographic.

Healthline reported that balloon sinuplasty is most frequently recommended to those who suffer from chronic sinusitis after other treatments for their condition have proven ineffective. The procedure is fairly straightforward, reported complications are minimal and the patient experiences no cutting or removal of bones or tissue. Following a balloon sinuplasty, many patients are able to return to their daily activities within one to two days. Some patients even feel well enough to drive themselves home afterward.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.