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What Supplements Should I Avoid If I Have High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Some natural supplements are thought to have a beneficial effect for people who want to lower their blood pressure. Other supplements can be dangerous if taken by a person with high blood pressure. A smart strategy for treating high blood pressure involves knowing which supplements to avoid, and incorporating the good supplements into a responsible diet.

  1. Avoid Ephedra

    • This supplement has been used since the Chinese first discovered it over 5,000 years ago. However, it was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after several high profile incidents involving professional baseball players, culminating in the 2003 death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Belcher. Ephedra stimulates the body's central nervous system, and has been linked to an increase in blood pressure.

    Avoid Licorice

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, licorice in large doses may cause high blood pressure. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which stimulates the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands regulate stress in the body, and when stimulated produce adrenaline. Adrenaline tells the heart to beat faster, leading to high blood pressure.

    Avoid Asian Ginseng

    • Asian ginseng has been reported to increase blood pressure in some patients. Ginseng contains chemicals called ginsenosides. Some ginsenosides acts as stimulants, while others act as depressants. The stimulants are similar in effect to caffeine, and this is what may cause an increase in blood pressure. Although the scientific evidence is not conclusive, prudence suggests that if you already have high blood pressure, stay away from this supplement until there is ample evidence proving that it will not make your condition worse.

    Avoid St. John's Wort

    • This supplement is believed to treat depression, but it is also suspected to increase blood pressure when mixed with other herbal medicines, or with Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs are powerful prescription drugs used to treat major depression. The active ingredient in St. John's Wort is hypericin, which stimulates dopamine production in the body. Dopamine tells the heart to beat faster, leading to high blood pressure.

    Avoid Guarana

    • Guarana is a berry found in Venezuela and has a high caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant, and leads to the production of adrenaline. Adrenaline causes your heart to beat faster.

    Avoid Bitter Orange

    • According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institutes of Health), bitter orange contains chemicals that can increase blood pressure. Heart attacks have been reported in otherwise healthy people who have taken this supplement.

    Conclusions

    • A smart strategy for people with high blood pressure is to avoid any supplements which stimulate the body---especially the central nervous system. If you have blood pressure, consult with a cardiologist before taking any supplements. He or she will most likely encourage you to take specific supplements that can improve your condition.

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