10 Vitamins and Supplements to Avoid with High Blood Pressure
We often think about taking vitamins to support our health. But if you have high blood pressure, like over 70% of Americans aged 60 and older, it’s important to know that some vitamins and supplements can impact your blood pressure. They might also change how well your blood pressure medications work. Knowing which vitamins to avoid with high blood pressure can help you manage hypertension better.
In this article, we’ll go over what vitamins and supplements can impact your blood pressure and interact with blood pressure medications. We’ll also let you know how to safely take supplements if you have high blood pressure.
Key takeaways
Supplements such as vitamin K, St. John’s Wort, and grapefruit extract can interfere with medications for high blood pressure.
Vitamins, such as vitamin E in high doses, have been shown to raise blood pressure.
Informing your doctor and pharmacist about all medications and supplements you take can help prevent potential interactions with blood pressure medication.
Vitamins and supplements that can raise blood pressure
Supplements and high blood pressure don’t always mix. In this section, we’ll go over ones that you should avoid if you have high blood pressure.
Licorice root extract
Licorice root extract is sometimes used as a supplement to help support digestive and respiratory health. Although some licorice-flavored candy and snacks are flavored with anise in the U.S., popular black licorice candies likely contain licorice extract. It can also be found in some teas, root beers, and other products.
Licorice root extract has glycyrrhizin. This can lead to an irregular heart rate or even cardiac arrest. When consumed regularly, it can impact people with high blood pressure or other heart conditions in even small amounts by causing the body to retain sodium. Licorice root extract can also decrease potassium levels, which can affect blood pressure.
Ginseng supplement
Ginseng supplements are often used to support the immune system, lower blood sugar, and increase energy. However, there’s been some evidence that ginseng may raise or lower blood pressure. Scientists don’t fully understand how ginseng affects blood pressure yet. So, it's best to skip ginseng supplements if you have high blood pressure.
Ephedra and Ma Huang
Ephedra, which occurs naturally in the Chinese herb Ma Huang, has been used in Chinese medicine to treat asthma, fever, and nasal congestion.
But it can cause dangerous side effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure, and has even led to heart attacks, strokes, and seizures. Because of these dangerous side effects, it’s been banned by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Yohimbe bark extract
Yohimbe bark extract is often used as an aphrodisiac and to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It has also been marketed as a weight loss and mood-boosting supplement. However, because it's a stimulant, it can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Moreover, in the U.S., it is illegal to sell any over-the-counter product containing Yohimbe without prior FDA approval, owing to safety concerns.
Supplements that interfere with blood pressure medications
Knowing what supplements to avoid with BP meds helps ensure that your medications are working effectively.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an important nutrient for blood clotting and bone health. However, if you’re taking a blood thinner (such as warfarin), you need to be careful not to take too much vitamin K, as this can impact the effectiveness of your medication. It is best to consult your doctor to manage the level of Vitamin K intake, as fluctuations can affect the anticoagulant properties of blood thinner medication.
St. John’s Wort interactions
St. John’s Wort is used to treat depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and menopause. But St. John’s Wort changes the way the liver metabolizes many medications, including those for blood pressure. This can mean that it changes the effectiveness of your medication.
Grapefruit extract complications
Grapefruit extract, also known as grapefruit seed extract or citrus seed extract, comes from the pulp, seeds, and juice of grapefruit. Grapefruit, like St. John’s Wort, affects how your body processes some medications. This includes blood thinners and calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases the level of these medicines in your bloodstream, which can cause your blood pressure to fall drastically.
Calcium channel interactions
Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), and verapamil (Verelan) are often used to treat high blood pressure. However, some supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D (taken together) and Ginkgo biloba, can affect how well these medications work.
If you need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements and are also on BP medication, consult your doctor on how you can space out these meds to reduce interaction.
Potassium supplement considerations
Potassium supplements are often used to regulate fluid levels in the body. But many blood pressure medications impact potassium levels in your body. This means that it’s not a good idea to take potassium supplements with blood pressure medications like diuretics (water pills) or ACE inhibitors.
When BP meds and potassium supplements are combined, they can cause potassium levels in the body to become too high, a condition known as hyperkalemia. This can affect the heart’s electrical activity, leading to irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and weak or slow heartbeat (bradycardia). These changes in heart rhythm can cause blood pressure to fluctuate or become dangerously low, and may lead to cardiac arrest.
Vitamin E in high doses
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that some people take to help support their immune system. But vitamin E, especially at high doses, can thin the blood. People on blood thinners (such as warfarin and apixaban) or antiplatelets (such as aspirin or clopidogrel) should avoid vitamin E supplements unless explicitly instructed by their healthcare provider, as it can increase their risk of bleeding.
There’s some evidence that vitamin E can lower systolic blood pressure (the top number). People who have other heart conditions or who have had a heart attack or stroke are most at risk. If you are taking medications to lower your blood pressure, consult your doctor before starting a vitamin E supplement, as combining the two may increase the risk of low blood pressure episodes.
Hidden vitamin sources to watch for
It's not always easy to know if you're consuming vitamins that raise your blood pressure, as manufacturers can add them to food, drinks, and health products. Hidden vitamin sources to be aware of include:
Fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, oatmeal, flours, and breads
Fortified milks, including dairy milk and non-dairy milks such as soy, almond, and oat
Fortified drinks, including orange juice and energy drinks
Health drinks and products, such as teas, vitamin waters, and gummies
Protein and meal replacement products, including drinks and bars
Salt substitutes, which can contain potassium chloride
How to safely manage vitamins with hypertension
In this section, we’ll go over some hypertension supplement safety tips.
Consult with healthcare providers
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor can advise if you need to change anything about your diet, including any vitamins and supplements you take.
If you’re taking medication for high blood pressure, your pharmacist can review this alongside any medications and supplements you are currently on. When considering taking a new supplement or vitamin, consult with your doctor or pharmacist to see if it's safe to take alongside your existing medications.
Read supplement labels carefully
Some supplements make it easy to see what you’re taking. For example, if you purchase vitamin C, then it’s easy to know what you’re taking is vitamin C. But other supplements can be trickier. For example, if you purchase a supplement called “Immune Support,” it might contain vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc.
To know exactly what you’re taking, read the Supplement Facts label on the bottle. It’s required that all manufacturers list supplement ingredients on this label or the Other Ingredients label below it.
Timing considerations
For some supplements, it is best to take them at least 2-4 hours after your blood pressure medications. If your doctor suggests a new supplement, ask them when to take it. Also, check if you should take it with food or on an empty stomach.
Monitor blood pressure
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will probably suggest that you monitor it. This helps track how well lifestyle changes and medications are working. You can use a home blood pressure monitor or a machine available at a pharmacy to do this.
Warning signs and when to seek medical help
Sometimes medications can interact with blood pressure levels and cause medical issues. Warning signs to watch for include:
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Extreme fatigue or weakness
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Severe headaches
Nosebleeds
Nausea or vomiting
Fast or slow heart rate
Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
Numbness or tingling
Severe stomach pain
Blurred vision
Swelling
Confusion
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, seek immediate medical help.
Bottom line
If you have high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid certain vitamins and supplements, including vitamin E, licorice root extract, and vitamin K. Your health, including your body’s response to any medications and supplements you take, is unique to you.
This means that it’s best to consult with medical providers to learn more about what supplements are okay to take and which ones you should avoid. Check your supplements with your doctor or pharmacist. They can inform you about any possible interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take any vitamins if I have high blood pressure?
Yes, some vitamins and supplements are safe to take if you have high blood pressure. However, it’s best to consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you find safe and beneficial options based on your health, medications, and other supplements.
Which vitamins are the safest for people with hypertension?
Multivitamins are generally regarded as safe for people with hypertension. However, it’s important to check ingredients.
How long should I wait between taking BP medication and vitamins?
Some supplements are okay to take at the same time as your blood pressure medications, and for others, you should wait a few hours. Ask your pharmacist for more details about your specific medications.
What should I do if I accidentally took a problematic supplement?
If you accidentally took a problematic supplement, stop taking it and call your doctor. If you have symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe belly pain, get medical help right away.
Are natural supplements always safer than prescription medications?
No, natural supplements are not always safer than prescription medications. In fact, they can cause serious side effects and interact with medications. Natural supplements don’t go through the same strict testing as prescription drugs.
How do I know if a vitamin is affecting my blood pressure?
Checking your blood pressure regularly, like with an at-home monitor, helps you spot any changes. If you develop any new symptoms, like heart palpitations or dizziness, contact your doctor.
Sources
American Geriatrics Society. (n.d.). Basic facts about high blood pressure (hypertension). Health in Aging. Retrieved September 18, 2025, from https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/basic-facts
American Heart Association. (2024, January 18). Medication interactions: Food, supplements and other drugs. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/medication-information/medication-interactions-food-supplements-and-other-drug
Bishop, S. (2010, March 12). What supplements should be avoided with high blood pressure? Mayo Clinic News Network. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplements-to-avoid-when-dealing-with-high-blood-pressure/
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025, April). Licorice root: Usefulness and safety. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025, September 18). Tips on reading supplement labels. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/know-science/how-medications-and-supplements-can-interact/tips-on-reading-supplement-labels
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025, May). Yohimbe: Usefulness and safety. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yohimbe
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