Blood pressure is an important sign of how healthy your heart and blood vessels are. It measures the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. If your blood pressure is too high, it can put stress on your heart and damage your arteries, raising your chances of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
While many people know that diet, exercise, and stress can affect blood pressure, fewer realize that some common medications can also cause it to rise. This can be especially risky for people who already have high blood pressure or heart conditions. Here’s a look at some of the most common drugs that can raise your blood pressure—and why it’s important to be aware of them.
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen) and naproxen (Aleve) are widely used to treat pain and inflammation. But they can also increase blood pressure, especially in people who already have high blood pressure or kidney issues. These drugs can cause the body to retain fluid and reduce kidney function, both of which can raise blood pressure.
Decongestants
If you take cold or allergy medicine, you may be using decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. These drugs shrink blood vessels in your nose to relieve stuffiness—but they can also shrink blood vessels throughout your body, making it harder for blood to flow and pushing your blood pressure higher.
Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives can raise blood pressure in some women. The risk is higher for those who smoke, are overweight, have a family history of high blood pressure, or experience migraines. If you’re taking birth control, it’s a good idea to monitor your blood pressure regularly.
Antidepressants
Some antidepressants, including venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), may raise blood pressure, particularly in people who already have hypertension or are taking other blood pressure-increasing medications. These drugs can change how the brain controls blood pressure levels.
Steroids
Steroid medications like prednisone or dexamethasone are often used to treat inflammation, allergies, or autoimmune diseases. However, they can raise blood pressure by causing the body to hold on to salt and water, which increases blood volume and puts more work on the heart.
Immunosuppressants
Drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus are used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. These medications can raise blood pressure by tightening blood vessels and increasing the workload on the heart.
Stimulants
Medications used to treat ADHD, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, can raise both heart rate and blood pressure. This can be risky for people with heart problems or high blood pressure.
Migraine Medications
Some migraine treatments, like triptans and ergotamine, work by narrowing blood vessels to reduce pain. Unfortunately, this can also raise blood pressure, especially in people who already have heart conditions.
Antipsychotic Medications
Some drugs used to treat mental health conditions, like risperidone and olanzapine, can raise blood pressure. This risk is more common in people who already have high blood pressure or other heart issues.
Over-the-Counter Cold Medicines
Many cold and flu medications sold without a prescription contain decongestants that can raise blood pressure. It’s important to read labels and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these if you have high blood pressure.
Because these medications are so common, it’s essential to talk openly with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have high blood pressure or are at risk, let them know about all the medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. They can help you find safer options or adjust your treatment plan to protect your heart.
Managing high blood pressure is about more than just diet and exercise—it also means being aware of how the medications you take can affect your numbers. By staying informed and speaking up, you can keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and reduce your risk of serious health problems.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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