High blood pressure, or hypertension, is more than just a number. It’s a big deal because it puts extra stress on your heart and blood vessels.
This can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. While a lot of things can raise your blood pressure, did you know that some common medications can too?
Pain Relievers and Your Blood Pressure
One group of medicines called NSAIDs, which includes over-the-counter options like ibuprofen and naproxen, are often used for pain relief.
The downside? They can make your blood pressure go up, especially if you already have high blood pressure or kidney issues.
Cold and Allergy Meds: Not Always Harmless
You know those decongestants you take when you have a cold or allergies? Some of these, like pseudoephedrine, can also raise your blood pressure.
They do this by narrowing your blood vessels, which makes it harder for blood to flow through.
Women, Be Cautious with Birth Control
Some women find that their blood pressure goes up when they’re on birth control pills. The risk is higher if you’re older, overweight, or have a family history of high blood pressure. If you’re a smoker, the risk is even greater.
Mind Your Mood and Your Pressure
Certain antidepressants can raise your blood pressure too. If you’re already dealing with high blood pressure or taking other medicines that affect it, you should be extra careful.
Other Medicines to Watch For
Steroids: Often used for inflammation and allergies, these can also raise your blood pressure.
Immunosuppressants: If you’ve had an organ transplant, you might be taking these. They can elevate your blood pressure by making your heart work harder.
Stimulants: Used for attention issues, these can raise your blood pressure by speeding up your heart and narrowing your blood vessels.
Migraine Medications: Some medicines for migraines can also cause your blood pressure to go up.
Antipsychotics: These can increase your blood pressure and are even riskier if you already have high blood pressure.
Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Meds: Some of these can raise your blood pressure, particularly if they contain phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.
Talk to Your Doctor
So, what should you do? If you’re on any of these medications, it’s essential to have open conversations with your healthcare provider.
They can help you weigh the benefits and risks and may need to monitor your blood pressure more closely while you’re taking these medicines.
Remember, not everyone will experience an increase in blood pressure with these medications, but it’s better to be safe and aware.
Keep tabs on your blood pressure and make informed choices about your medications to stay heart-healthy.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about More older Americans hospitalized for high blood pressure and findings of Intense high blood pressure control may harm health in older people.
For more information about blood pressure health, please see recent studies about common juice that could help reduce high blood pressure, and results showing the new advice for treating high blood pressure.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
