Millions on blood pressure medication issued warning

Millions of people taking blood pressure medications are being advised to be very careful about what they drink, as certain beverages can reduce the effectiveness of prescriptions and even trigger harmful side effects. Medicines such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and diuretics are needed to manage high blood pressure, a condition that affects more than 16 million people in the UK, many of whom are unaware they have the condition.

experts HealthBut a publication founded in 1981 with a medical advisory board of 70 board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals warned that some seemingly harmless beverages could interfere with how these medications work.

1. Some fruit juices

Grapefruit juice is one of the most well-known culprits. It may block an enzyme called CYP3A4, which helps break down many blood pressure medications, according to Sabrina Islam, MD, MPH, a cardiologist at Temple Health and associate professor at Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

D., a cardiologist at Stanford Medicine’s Preventive Cardiology Clinic. David Maron explained that other fruit juices, such as apple or orange juice, may also affect how the body absorbs and metabolizes some blood pressure medications.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can significantly increase the effects of blood pressure medications, especially beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and alpha blockers. This interaction can cause blood pressure to drop too low, resulting in dangerous dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, and falls. Moreover, alcohol itself can increase blood pressure, reducing the benefits of the drug. Dr Maron recommended that women drink no more than one drink a day and men drink no more than two.

3. Caffeinated drinks

Caffeine increases blood pressure when it enters your bloodstream and may also reduce the effectiveness of some medications, especially beta blockers and diuretics. People with hypertension should be careful about caffeine even if they do not take these medications. Dr. Maron recommends keeping caffeine intake below 400 milligrams per day.

4. Licorice tea

Licorice tea contains glycyrrhizic acid, which can significantly increase blood pressure and cause dangerous interactions with antihypertensive medications even when consumed in small amounts. It acts by causing sodium retention and potassium loss, which reduces the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

5. Herbal teas and supplements

Some herbal products, such as St. John’s wort, ginseng, ephedra, yohimbine, licorice root, and high doses of green tea extracts, may affect how the body processes blood pressure medications. These interactions may decrease the effectiveness of medications or trigger side effects such as dizziness, irregular heart rhythms, or low potassium levels.

6. High sodium vegetable juices

While some vegetable juices, such as celery, beetroot, or leafy green blends, may help lower blood pressure, those high in sodium may actually counteract blood pressure medications, especially diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs, potentially leading to increased blood pressure, swelling, and decreased medication effectiveness.

High blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for the disease in the UK, after smoking and poor diet, according to Blood Press UK.

Experts have warned that patients taking blood pressure medication should talk to their healthcare provider before consuming these drinks to ensure their treatment remains safe and effective.