While flu medication is generally safe for most, it’s important to know one particular remedy could increase your blood pressure
A common medication taken to lessen flu symptoms may raise your blood pressure, a health expert has warned. Pharmica’s Superintendent Pharmacist Carolina Goncalves told the Mirror that both the flu and flu medication can impact your blood pressure.
“When you’re sick, your body is under stress as it fights off the infection, and that stress can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. In particular, your immune system releases pro-inflammatory cytokines which promote inflammation and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline,” she explained.
“This is especially something to watch out for if you already have high blood pressure (hypertension), as the added strain could push your blood pressure levels higher than normal. Another important factor to consider is fever. When you have a fever, your body’s metabolic rate increases as it works to fight off the infection.
“This heightened activity causes your heart to pump more vigorously to circulate blood faster, ensuring oxygen and immune cells reach affected tissues. This increase in cardiac output can elevate blood pressure by 10-20 points in some individuals, but everyone responds differently. “
At the same time, decongestants could raise your blood pressure. Goncalves warned: “If your blood pressure is within a healthy range and you have no heart-related concerns, short-term use of decongestants as directed is generally safe. However, for individuals with hypertension, heart disease or other cardiovascular risks, decongestants might not be advisable.”
As per the NHS, you should speak to a pharmacist or GP before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure. The same guidance applies if you’re taking other medicines or you have diabetes, an enlarged prostate, increased pressure in the eye, an overactive thyroid gland or liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems.
While you should speak to your GP about any health concerns, you may wish to check your blood pressure at home if you have a digital monitor. Sharing advice, Goncalves said: “You can determine if your blood pressure is raised by checking the reading on a digital monitor.
“This measures blood pressure in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and provides two numbers: the systolic pressure (the top number, indicating the pressure when your heart pumps blood) and the diastolic pressure (the bottom number, indicating the pressure when your heart rests between beats).
“A normal blood pressure reading is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Raised blood pressure is identified as 135/85mmHg or higher when measured at home, or 140/90mmHg or higher when taken at a GP surgery, pharmacy or clinic.
“The NHS advises seeking medical advice if your blood pressure consistently exceeds these thresholds, as this may indicate hypertension. Additionally, if your systolic pressure reaches 180mmHg or higher, or your diastolic pressure is 120mmHg or higher, you should seek immediate medical attention, as this could signal a hypertensive crisis requiring urgent care.”
