Vitamins to avoid if you have high blood pressure include arnica, Panax ginseng, guarana, licorice root, and St. John's wort. These supplements can raise blood pressure either by directly affecting the cardiovascular system or by interfering with blood pressure medications.
Some vitamins, like vitamin D and the minerals calcium and magnesium, might actually lower blood pressure. However, you should always consult a healthcare provider before taking a new supplement, especially if you have an underlying medical condition like hypertension or are taking medications.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. When choosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Do Vitamins Raise Blood Pressure?
Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, and herbs that add to or “supplement” the nutrients you get from food. They are readily available in stores and online, and often are marketed as helping to improve or prevent certain health conditions.
However, unlike prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements do not have to be approved by the FDA to ensure they are effective and safe or undergo clinical research to back up their claims.
Some vitamins and supplements, such as coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) and melatonin, have been found to have antihypertensive effects, meaning they can help lower blood pressure. However, certain supplements have been found to raise blood pressure.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any vitamin or supplement.
Never take vitamins or other supplements without talking to a healthcare provider first. Before taking supplements, ask your healthcare provider:
- Should I take supplements?
- Will they help me or be unsafe for me?
- Will they interfere with medicines I take?
- What are the potential side effects?
- If I do take a supplement, how much should I take and how often?
Vitamins and Herbs to Avoid With High Blood Pressure
Arnica
Arnica comes from a perennial flower and is most often used in topical creams and ointments to assist in the healing of bruises, sprains, swelling, and inflammation. Arnica is considered safe when used on the skin but should not be taken by mouth in pill or other forms because it can raise blood pressure.
In addition, when taken internally arnica can cause irritation or damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, damage to the heart and other organs, increased bleeding, coma, and death.
Asian (Panax) Ginseng
Asian ginseng, also known as panax ginseng, has been promoted for a variety of uses including to increase well-being, reduce stress, and improve concentration and memory.
Asian ginseng's effect on blood pressure is complicated. Some studies suggest it lowers blood pressure while others found it increases it. This has led researchers to question if ginseng increases blood pressure at usual doses, but lowers it when doses are higher. Until researchers are certain, you should not take ginseng if you have high blood pressure unless your healthcare provider tells you it is safe.
It's not certain whether ginseng interacts with certain medications including blood thinners, calcium channel blockers, and other medications for high blood pressure. Anyone taking these medications should consult with a healthcare provider before using ginseng.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange is a supplement that comes from extract of the fruit or peel of a bitter orange. It’s often used in weight-loss supplements and sports performance products. While there have been cases reported of heart attack, angina, and stroke after consuming products that contained bitter orange, it’s not known for certain if bitter orange or other ingredients played a role. Studies on whether bitter orange increases blood pressure or heart rate have produced conflicting results.
Guarana
Guarana contains caffeine and is an herb commonly used in energy drinks. Many energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, and adding guarana increases caffeine amounts. Excessive caffeine can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate and lead to heart rhythm disturbances.
A 2019 review noted that if guidelines for caffeine intake are followed, guarana consumption is not likely to be associated with any serious health risks.
Licorice Root
Licorice root is a supplement most commonly used for digestive issues such as heartburn, coughs, and viral and bacterial infections. Licorice root can have serious side effects including increasing blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure or take anti-hypertensive medications, especially when it’s consumed in large amounts or over long periods.
Licorice also decreases potassium, which plays a role in blood pressure. Licorice should not be taken by people who have high blood pressure or heart disease.
St. John's Wort
St. John’s wort is an herb that’s used for a variety of conditions including depression, menopausal symptoms, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
If St. John's wort is taken with other antidepressants, it increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition. It's characterized by a racing heart rate, high blood pressure, and hallucinations.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the body’s cells from damage. In an older study, it was determined that vitamin E treatment significantly increased blood pressure, pulse pressure, and heart rate in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
However, more recent studies have shown that vitamin E may lower diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) and has no effect on systolic blood pressure (the top number). Study authors noted the effects of vitamin E on systolic and diastolic blood pressure are still controversial.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe comes from the bark of African evergreen trees. It’s most commonly touted for helping erectile dysfunction and increasing sexual arousal. Yohimbe has been associated with serious side effects including high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and heart attacks. Its use has been restricted in many countries.
Do Multivitamins Affect Blood Pressure?
Despite their popularity, little research has been done on the effects multivitamins have on high blood pressure. A recent study found that taking multivitamins does not increase the short- or long-term risk of developing high blood pressure and that taking a multivitamin does not reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure for the average person.
Older studies have suggested multivitamins may help reduce high blood pressure in those at risk for heart disease, but there has been little follow-up research.
Are There Supplements That Can Lower Blood Pressure?
Several vitamins and minerals have been evaluated for their effects on lowering blood pressure.
B Vitamins
Most large clinical trials have failed to prove that supplementing with B vitamins reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Research has indicated that some B vitamins may help lower blood pressure in certain people. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may help treat or prevent high blood pressure in those with certain genetic mutations that raise the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9, has been found to help lower blood pressure in those who already have high blood pressure.
Vitamin D
Taking vitamin D supplements has not been found to lower blood pressure in the general population. However, supplementing with vitamin D may have positive effects on blood pressure in certain groups including those with cardiovascular disease and older people. Taking vitamin D is not harmful to blood pressure, as long as excessive doses and vitamin D toxicity are avoided.
Vitamin D Toxicity
Vitamin D toxicity, or hypervitaminosis D, is a serious medical condition that typically occurs when very high doses of the vitamin are taken over long periods of time without medical supervision. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and other minerals, but too much can cause hypercalcemia—abnormally high calcium buildup in the blood.
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity can include high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias, along with gastrointestinal symptoms, kidney failure, and changes in mental state.
Calcium and Magnesium
A review assessing the effects of six vitamins and minerals found calcium and magnesium supplementation provided significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The study authors noted future studies should focus on optimal dosage and treatment length for these supplements.
Other Supplements
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), melatonin, grape seed extract, and garlic supplements have all been found in recent research to have blood-pressure-lowering effects.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.Measuring your blood pressureis the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. That's why seeing a healthcare provider regularly is important.
Symptoms of very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can include:
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Abnormal heart rhythm
Before taking any vitamins and supplements, talk with your healthcare provider to determine what is safe and best for your health needs.
Summary
Supplements like arnica, Asian ginseng, licorice root, and guarana can raise blood pressure by directly affecting the cardiovascular system or interfering with blood pressure medications.
Unlike prescription or over-the-counter medications, the FDA does not regulate the sale or safety of supplements. You should always seek the advice of a healthcare provider when considering taking any supplement, especially if you are taking medication to control blood pressure.
