Certain vitamins can increase blood pressure directly by affecting the cardiovascular system
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It is a common belief that supplements help elevate your health. Vitamins are not just considered good for overall well-being but regulate the heart as well. Known as the building blocks of our body, vitamin supplements compensate for poor eating habits and even reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
However, certain vitamins, which are otherwise extremely important for body functions, can increase blood pressure, either directly by affecting the cardiovascular system or by increasing blood pressure levels.
High blood pressure, or hypertension occurs when the pressure of blood pumping against the artery walls is higher than it should be. High blood pressure is defined as having a systolic reading greater than 130 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure reading of 80 mmHg or higher.
According to experts, blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for heart disease. 1
There are certain vitamin supplements to avoid when you have high blood pressure.
Arnica is a herb from the sunflower family which contains anti-inflammatory compounds that relieve muscle and joint pain.
However, it is safe only when used on the skin but should not be taken by mouth in pill or other forms. When taken internally arnica can cause heart issues, dizziness, and other medical problems, and can be fatal in large doses. 2
Vitamin E is super effective in the prevention and reversal of various disease complications due to its function as an antioxidant, its role in anti-inflammatory processes, its inhibition of platelet aggregation, and its immune-enhancing activity.
However, taking high doses of the supplement can the risk of bleeding after an injury or bleeding in the brain because it reduces the body’s ability to form blood clots.
Vitamin E can also increase bleeding risk for those on blood-thinning medications. 3
Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones.However, if taken too much it can interfere with how blood-thinning medications work, which can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, or even strokes.
Those who take blood thinners should always consult a health professional for the amount of vitamin K to be taken.
If you take too much vitamin D, it can lead to hypervitaminosis D or toxicity in the body – a serious medical condition.
This vitamin helps the body to absorb calcium and other minerals, but too much can cause hypercalcemia which builds abnormal levels of calcium 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. 4
