Condition
High blood pressure
Persistently elevated arterial pressure — usually symptomless, but a major driver of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
See a clinician
Some causes of high blood pressure need medical care, not self-treatment. Seek help for any of these:
- BP ≥180/120 with chest pain, breathlessness, severe headache, vision change, or confusion — a hypertensive emergency (call emergency services)
- Sudden "thunderclap" headache or signs of stroke (face droop, arm weakness, speech trouble)
What may help
Remedies studied for high blood pressure, ranked by strength of evidence.
- B Beetroot juice supplement
Modestly lowers blood pressure, especially with use over two weeks or more.
- B Fish oil (omega-3) supplement
About 3 g/day modestly lowers blood pressure, most in untreated hypertensives.
- B Garlic herb
Modestly lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension (a few mmHg); trials are small and varied.
- B
- B Magnesium nutrient
Small blood-pressure reduction, larger in people on BP medication or who are magnesium-deficient.
- D Coenzyme Q10 supplement
A Cochrane review found no clinically significant effect on blood pressure in primary hypertension.
Diet (DASH, less salt), exercise, weight, and prescribed medication are the foundation. Several supplements lower BP by a few mmHg — useful adjuncts, not replacements for treatment.