Columbus Standard

Evidence is increasing for the correlation between chronic sinusitis and increased risk for stroke.

In 2005, a 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.

“There have been some published papers out of Taiwan, actually, that talk about (the greater risk of stroke in patients with chronic sinusitis),” Dr. Anthony Sanders of Indianapolis Sinus Center told Columbus Standard. “Within the last 20, 30 years, there has been a focus on atherosclerosis, which leads to more prevalence of stroke and heart disease and such being an inflammatory condition. It's been associated with dental caries, for instance. And that paper from Taiwan has shown an association with chronic rhinosinusitis, probably by a similar mechanism.”

Using data from a national cohort study from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, it has been deduced that chronic rhinosinusitis consistently increases the risk of stroke, regardless of demographic. Further study and meta-analysis review from the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases supports the fact chronic sinusitis is associated with a higher risk of stroke.

Chronic sinusitis comes with symptoms including inflammation of the sinuses, frontal sinus headache, runny nose and severe sinus headache. In chronic illness, these symptoms last longer than 12 weeks, according to Healthline. 

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

The Cleveland Clinic says that balloon sinuplasty is a Food and Drug Administration-approved, minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis patients. The procedure is so advanced that it can be done in a medical office setting with no 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 Indianapolis Sinus Center.