High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common health problems around the world.
It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even vision loss. Doctors usually recommend exercise, a balanced diet, and medications to keep blood pressure under control.
However, new research from Harvard University has revealed a surprising twist — some of the medications people already take for other health issues may actually make their blood pressure worse.
According to the study, about one in five adults with high blood pressure may be using medicines that unknowingly raise their blood pressure levels.
These include familiar drugs such as antidepressants, painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen, steroids, hormone medications such as birth control pills, cold medicines that contain decongestants, and some weight loss pills.
While these medicines are often necessary for treating other conditions, they can interfere with blood pressure control and reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
The researchers found that people who took these additional medicines often had higher blood pressure readings and required stronger or higher doses of their regular blood pressure drugs.
This means that a hidden side effect of these common medications could be making it harder for patients to manage their hypertension — even when they follow their doctor’s advice.
If you have high blood pressure, it’s important to be aware of how your medications might interact. Many people take multiple prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs without realizing that some can work against each other.
Talking to your doctor about everything you take — including supplements, vitamins, and non-prescription medicine — can help you avoid unwanted side effects and keep your treatment effective.
Among the most common culprits are over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which belong to a class of drugs called NSAIDs. While effective for pain and inflammation, they can cause the body to retain salt and water, leading to higher blood pressure.
Certain antidepressants, particularly those in the SSRI and SNRI categories, may also affect blood pressure by altering brain chemicals that influence heart rate and blood vessel tension.
Steroids and hormonal medications, including birth control pills, can cause similar effects by changing how the body handles salt and fluids. Even cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine — a common decongestant — can tighten blood vessels and raise blood pressure temporarily.
If you take any of these medications, it doesn’t mean you must stop them right away. Instead, speak with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there are safer alternatives.
Sometimes, switching to a different pain reliever or antidepressant, or adjusting your dose, can make a big difference. Your doctor can also help monitor your blood pressure more closely if you need to stay on these medications.
Beyond managing medicines, healthy lifestyle habits are still one of the best ways to control high blood pressure. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while cutting down on processed and salty foods can help. Staying active with regular walks or light exercise improves heart health.
Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can reduce stress, another factor linked to high blood pressure. It’s also important to limit alcohol, avoid smoking, and get enough sleep.
Not everyone who takes these medications will see their blood pressure rise, but some people are more sensitive than others. That’s why it’s essential to stay informed and communicate with your healthcare team.
Even small steps — like reviewing your medication list or adding a short daily walk — can help protect your health. By being proactive and aware, you can reduce the risks and keep your blood pressure in a safe range.
Your health is worth protecting, and sometimes awareness is the most powerful medicine of all.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
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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