A sore throat could mean you're 'more likely to die of a heart attack or stoke'

If you suffer with throat problems, this could put you more at risk of having a "heart attack or stroke in years to come" which will likely be fatal, according to new research. The recent study , published in JAMA Otolaryngology on September 5 of this year, revealed that people with throat problems were less able to regulate their blood pressure, leading to a number of issues. Led by the University of Southampton, they believe this happens due to nerve damage in the throat which impacts baroreflex - an essential part of the autonomic nervous system.

This is because this essential part of our bodies can sense changes in blood pressure and when it does, it adjusts our heart rate and the tone of our blood vessels to stabilise our blood pressure. Not only this, but it ensures that we don't faint when we stand up too fast. This is because your baroreceptors sense a lack of stretching of the artery walls and sends a message to your brain, which interprets it as inadequate blood pressure.

Your brain then tells your blood vessels to tighten in order to raise your blood pressure. As a result, less energy is spent on controlling the baroreflex, meaning the body’s blood pressure and heart rate are poorly regulated. In fact, any change in your body’s demand for blood can trigger your baroreceptor reflex.

For example, your body may need to adjust your blood pressure when you: Researchers at the University of Southampton and University Hospitals of Dorset Foundation Trust suggest that .