High blood pressure has a number of causes, but some drugs can increase the risk. These nine popular drugs are subtly increasing your blood pressure.
About 1.3 billion individuals worldwide suffer from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. According to the World Heart Federation, it is the primary preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, taking almost 10 million lives annually. Although controlling hypertension is essential, many people are unaware that some drugs might unknowingly raise blood pressure. These medications, which range from decongestants to common painkillers and antidepressants, can be quite dangerous, particularly for people who already have hypertension. Find out if these drugs are contributing to high blood pressure because it is important to understand their possible side effects.
What does high blood pressure mean?
When the force of blood against the artery walls is too great, hypertension results. Your heart and blood arteries may be strained as a result, which could result in heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. Systolic (pressure during a heartbeat) and diastolic (pressure between heartbeats) blood pressure readings are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). 120/80 mm Hg is often considered a normal reading. Generally speaking, a value of 130/80 mm Hg or above is considered hypertension. Although family history, obesity, inactivity, and other factors can contribute to high blood pressure, some drugs can also raise blood pressure.
These are five drugs that can raise blood pressure:
1- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
According to cardiologist Dr. Sameer V. Pagad, "NSAIDs include both prescription and over-the-counter medications commonly used for quick relief from persistent pain and to reduce inflammation, particularly in conditions like arthritis." These drugs, however, have the potential to impair kidney function by causing the body to retain too much fluid. Significant variations in blood pressure can eventually develop to hypertension when the kidneys are not functioning properly. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, taking NSAIDs can also raise your risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly if you take them for a week, a month, or longer, or in higher dosages. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are two common NSAIDs linked to high blood pressure.
Additionally, NSAIDs can be found in a number of over-the-counter products, including cold remedies. To find out if NSAIDs are right for you and whether they are the cause of your high blood pressure, it is best to speak with your doctor. In place of ibuprofen, your doctor can recommend acetaminophen.
2- Corticosteroids or steroids
Often called steroids, corticosteroids are drugs that mimic the chemicals that the adrenal glands produce. They suppress the immune system and lessen inflammation. On the other hand, frequent usage of corticosteroids might cause fluid retention by dramatically increasing the kidneys' reabsorption of salt. Blood arteries may experience additional strain as a result of this fluid accumulation, which could cause them to contract and raise blood pressure. The use of oral corticosteroids has also been linked to high blood pressure and acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack, according to a study published in the Canadian Respiratory Journal.
Furthermore, corticosteroids might cause weight gain and alter your body's metabolism, both of which can worsen hypertension. An even higher risk of elevated blood pressure is linked to higher dosages of these drugs.
3- Cold medicines or decongestants
For immediate relief from nasal congestion, cold medications—especially decongestants—are frequently utilized. They minimize edema by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal passages. However, as was already said, NSAIDs can increase blood pressure, and many cold and cough treatments also contain them to reduce pain. Your blood pressure levels may suffer if you use these drugs in excess. Furthermore, according to the Annals of Emergency Medicine, some decongestants may cause the heart to beat more vigorously, raising blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack. These medications aid in the reduction of nasal edema, but they can also cause hypertension by narrowing blood arteries throughout the body.
If you have blood pressure concerns, it is best to avoid cough and cold medications containing NSAIDs or decongestants, especially pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), which is known to raise blood pressure. Consult your doctor for alternative options to relieve congestion, such as antihistamines or nasal sprays
4- Antidepressants
People with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic stress, panic disorder, and overthinking are frequently prescribed antidepressants. These drugs can aid in bringing the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and mental health back into balance when taken as prescribed by a doctor. Antidepressants do not frequently cause high blood pressure as a side effect, although those who already have it may be at higher risk. Higher dosages of the drug may increase this danger even more, according to Dr. Pagad.
Examples of antidepressants that may exacerbate hypertension include the following:
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
If you are on antidepressants, it is crucial to routinely check your blood pressure. Additionally, if you have high blood pressure or find it difficult to control, talk to your doctor about other medication options and find out what's causing it.
5- Immunosuppressants
Drugs known as immunosuppressants impair the immune system. They are frequently recommended to treat autoimmune disease flare-ups or to stop organ rejection following a transplant. However, according to a study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, certain immunosuppressants can raise blood pressure. Two prominent examples include sirolimus (Rapamune) and cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, and Neoral). By narrowing blood arteries and making the kidneys retain salt, these drugs may increase blood pressure. It is best to have your blood pressure checked frequently if you are on immunosuppressants.
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