High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects millions of people around the world and is one of the top causes of heart disease and stroke.
While many people can manage their blood pressure with medication and healthy habits, some still struggle even after trying multiple drugs.
A new study from the University of Maine offers hope for people with this difficult condition.
The researchers found that certain B vitamins might help lower blood pressure, especially in people whose hypertension doesn’t respond well to regular treatments.
About 12.8% of people worldwide have what’s called drug-resistant hypertension. This means their blood pressure stays too high even when they take several medications.
Doctors usually try to keep blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg, but newer guidelines suggest a lower target of 130/80 mmHg. Reaching this goal is even harder for people with drug-resistant high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
One important piece of the puzzle is a substance in the body called homocysteine. It’s linked to how the body uses B vitamins, including B6, B12, folate, and riboflavin (B2).
If someone doesn’t get enough of these vitamins—or has certain genetic traits—their homocysteine levels can rise. High levels of homocysteine can harm blood vessels and make them tighten, which raises blood pressure.
The researchers looked at several past studies and found that taking the right B vitamins can lower homocysteine levels. When this happens, blood pressure can drop by 6 to 13 mmHg. This is a big improvement for people who haven’t had much success with medication alone.
These findings suggest that adding B vitamins to the treatment plan could be a safe and low-cost way to help control blood pressure.
However, there is still some debate among doctors about what counts as a “normal” level of homocysteine. Some say levels up to 11.4 μmol/L are okay, while others argue that it should be lower—closer to 10 μmol/L or even less.
B vitamins play a key role in keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy. This study shows they might also be useful as a backup option for managing hard-to-treat high blood pressure.
Still, anyone thinking about taking B vitamin supplements should talk to their doctor first. Everyone’s body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
This new approach using B vitamins is exciting because it offers a natural and affordable solution. As scientists continue to study the link between homocysteine and blood pressure, it’s possible that vitamin B supplements could become a regular part of hypertension treatment.
In the end, this research gives new hope to people who are struggling to keep their blood pressure under control. Adding B vitamins to their treatment plan—along with regular doctor visits, a healthy diet, and exercise—could make a real difference.
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