People take vitamins and supplements to help manage certain conditions on their journey to better health.
Yet some vitamins and supplements may not benefit people who have specific health conditions, like high blood pressure (hypertension).
You may need to consider this when deciding which vitamins could benefit you. It’s also best to discuss with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any new vitamins or supplements.
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Vitamins to avoid when you have high blood pressure
About half of the adults in the United States have hypertension, and less than a quarter of them manage the condition properly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Vitamins and supplements aren’t considered a direct cause of hypertension. But it may still be best to avoid certain substances if you have hypertension. This is because they might worsen your condition or interact with the blood pressure medications your doctor has prescribed.
If you have hypertension, consider being cautious about taking the following vitamins and supplements. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before starting new vitamins and supplements.
Vitamin D
High vitamin D doses may lead to elevated blood pressure. Too much vitamin D in your system increases the levels of calcium, which can lead to a state of high calcium called hypercalcemia. One of the symptoms of hypercalcemia is high blood pressure.
On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for hypertension. Talking with a doctor or healthcare professional about supplementing these vitamins is important for managing high blood pressure alongside any vitamin deficiency.
The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D for most adults is 600 international units (IU).
Vitamin E
Vitamin E doesn’t raise your blood pressure. In fact, some research suggests that vitamin E supplements may lower your systolic blood pressure. But you may still need to be cautious about taking vitamin E with hypertension.
For example, if you’re already taking medication for high blood pressure, vitamin E may lower your blood pressure even more. The doctor might not have accounted for this when creating a treatment plan for your condition. So it’s vital to inform your healthcare team if you’re taking vitamin E before starting any medications.
Supplements to avoid with high blood pressure
Alongside being cautious with vitamins, there are some other supplements and herbs that are best to avoid if you have hypertension.
Ephedra
Ephedra sinica, or ephedra, is an herb found in Asia. It’s also called ma huang and is a supplement said to help increase energy levels and reduce weight.
Ephedra contains a chemical known as ephedrine alkaloid. Its effect is similar to that of adrenaline, which can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedra in dietary supplements for this reason. Research has linked supplements with serious cardiac events like a heart attack. These events are more likely in people who already have cardiovascular problems like hypertension, but they may be possible for anyone.
Note that ephedra isn’t completely banned. It can be used to manage asthma if a licensed practitioner prescribes it as a traditional Chinese remedy, and it’s also available in tea form.
Arnica
Arnica comes from Arnica montana, a daisy-like flower that grows in Europe and Siberia. It’s commonly used to treat bruises and pain and is applied to the skin as an ointment or cream.
A 2020 review of 25 studies found that Arnica montana remains effective for bruise reduction. Yet arnica can raise your heart rate and blood pressure when applied in large amounts or to broken skin, according to a 2017 study.
People rarely ingest the plant, but it’s important to note that it can be fatal if it’s consumed in large, undiluted doses.
Licorice root
Licorice root comes from the licorice plant, or Glycyrrhiza glabra. People may use it to manage heartburn, coughing, acid reflux, and hot flashes.
One of the serious side effects of licorice root, which is a common cooking and herbal tea ingredient, is an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in potassium levels.
However, the dose of licorice root needs to be extremely high to affect blood pressure — much higher than what people typically use in herbal teas or cooking.
Panax ginseng
Panax ginseng — also known as red ginseng, Asian ginseng, or Korean ginseng — is a root that grows in China, Korea, and Siberia.
Experts believe that ginseng can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate.
Bitter orange
Bitter orange, or Citrus aurantium, is a fruit that people traditionally use for nausea, indigestion, constipation, and nasal congestion.
It’s also used to manage weight loss, anxiety, and premenstrual syndrome. But there’s little evidence of its effectiveness in treating these conditions.
Some professionals consider bitter oranges as stimulants. But research is mixed on whether it can raise blood pressure. For this reason, you may still want to use it with caution and discuss its use with a healthcare professional first.
Guarana
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant native to the Amazon basin. It contains stimulants such as caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, and it’s rich in antioxidants.
Guarana is used for a range of conditions, from constipation to managing fatigue in people with cancer.
But, in high doses, guarana can lead to adverse effects, such as high blood pressure and confusion.
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Get free cardVitamins to try with high blood pressure
Research shows that taking many other vitamins, including multivitamins, doesn’t raise blood pressure.
For example, a 2018 research review of 12 controlled trials found that multivitamins may effectively manage blood pressure among people with hypertension.
What’s more, there are no recommendations to avoid vitamins like vitamin B12. These vitamins might not directly help with high blood pressure, but they’re overall good for your health and may not worsen your condition.
Either way, always speak with a doctor before taking new vitamins or supplements. They can help guide you on the right amounts to take. They may also adjust your medications if you’re taking supplements that may also lower your blood pressure.
Contacting a doctor
People with high blood pressure may need to contact a healthcare professional even if they do not experience any symptoms. But some symptoms of high blood pressure can include:
- dizziness
- migraine
- heart-related effects
For safety, if you’re taking one of the vitamins and supplements mentioned in this article and you have hypertension, talk with a doctor about possible alternatives.
Summary
If you have high blood pressure, you may want to avoid certain vitamins and supplements as they can further raise your blood pressure.
Some of these vitamins and supplements include excessive vitamin D, ephedra, licorice root, and arnica.
Before you consider using any vitamins and supplements, talk with a doctor.
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