Use Of Medications That Might Raise Blood Pressure

Many medications can raise blood pressure (BP). Researchers assessed the use of these medications in a representative sample of 28,000 U.S. adults (mean age, 47) who participated in U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) between 2009 and 2018. Medication use was self-reported; over-the-counter medications were excluded. Medications that might elevate BP were identified using a 2017 guideline (Hypertension 2018; 71:e13). Participants were considered to have hypertension if they self-reported a formal hypertension diagnosis or if BP was >130/80 mm Hg at an NHANES visit.

Overall, 15% of all participants and 19% of hypertensive participants were using medications that might elevate BP. Among participants with hypertensio…