Researchers from Harvard have uncovered a surprising and concerning discovery: nearly 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure may be taking medications for other health issues that actually raise their blood pressure even more.
This finding, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, suggests that many people with hypertension might be unknowingly making their condition worse with everyday medications.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health problem that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vision problems. These issues arise because high blood pressure damages blood vessels over time, making it harder for blood to flow smoothly through the body.
For many people, managing hypertension involves a combination of lifestyle changes—like eating less salt, losing weight, and exercising regularly—along with blood pressure medication. But what many don’t realize is that some medications taken for entirely different conditions can silently push blood pressure higher.
The Harvard research team, led by Dr. Timothy Anderson, studied data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collected health information from people across the United States between 2009 and 2018.
This large study allowed researchers to see which medications people with high blood pressure were taking and how those medications might be affecting their condition.
The team focused on specific types of medications known to raise blood pressure:
- Antidepressants – These are commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, but some types can also raise blood pressure as a side effect.
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – These are pain relievers that many people take for arthritis, headaches, or injuries. Prescription versions of these drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can increase blood pressure levels.
- Steroids – Often prescribed for asthma, allergies, or arthritis, steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can also elevate blood pressure.
- Hormonal medications – This category includes birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, both of which have been shown to impact blood pressure in some people.
- Decongestants – Found in many over-the-counter cold and flu medications, decongestants can raise blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels.
- Weight-loss pills – Some medications designed to help with weight loss can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
The study found that 18.5% of adults with high blood pressure were taking at least one of these medications. What’s even more concerning is that many of these people did not have their blood pressure under control.
In fact, those who took these medications were more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension, even if they were also taking medicine specifically designed to lower their blood pressure. This means that for some people, their blood pressure medication might not be working as well simply because of the other drugs they are taking.
In cases where people were using both blood pressure medication and one of these blood-pressure-raising drugs, doctors often had to prescribe higher doses just to keep blood pressure levels safe.
This situation creates a hidden risk where people might think they are managing their blood pressure effectively, but the medications they are taking for other health issues are quietly pushing it higher.
One of the major takeaways from the study is the importance of communication between patients and their doctors. People who have high blood pressure should make sure their doctors are aware of all the medications they are taking—not just the ones prescribed by that specific doctor.
Many people see multiple specialists for different health issues, and sometimes those doctors do not know the full list of medications a patient is using. This can lead to unintentional interactions that make managing blood pressure much harder.
The good news is that there are often alternatives available. For example, different types of pain relief that don’t raise blood pressure, alternative treatments for depression, or non-decongestant options for nasal congestion may be possible. Talking with a doctor about switching medications might help bring blood pressure back to a safer level.
This research highlights a hidden challenge in treating high blood pressure: it’s not just about the right diet, exercise, and blood pressure medication, but also about understanding the effects of all the medications someone takes.
A simple review of medications with a doctor could make a big difference in managing hypertension and avoiding serious health complications down the road.
For anyone with high blood pressure, staying informed and discussing all medications with a healthcare provider is a critical step in protecting heart health and preventing unexpected complications. This research is a reminder that even common medications can have powerful effects on blood pressure—and sometimes, a simple change can make all the difference.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that drinking tea could help lower blood pressure, and early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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