Blood Pressure STILL High? Check Your Medicine Cabinet

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted July 31, 2025

Is your blood pressure running high despite taking your prescription as ordered?

Your blood pressure pills might be doing their job—but other medications could be silently sabotaging them without you knowing it.

I’ve seen it happen time and again—patients diligently take their blood pressure meds while simultaneously swallowing other pills that send their numbers soaring again.

Just last month, I saw a patient—let’s call him Frank—whose blood pressure remained stubbornly high despite being on two hypertension medications.

The answer, it turns out, was hiding in plain sight…

Frank also struggled with chronic pain—and the daily ibuprofen he popped for his arthritis was canceling out his blood pressure meds.

After switching him to a different pain reliever, his numbers plummeted by 15 points—no new prescription needed!

Frank isn’t alone.

A recent study found that a shocking one in five adults with high blood pressure is taking a medication that can make their condition worse.

That means that 20 percent of folks with hypertension could be unknowingly sabotaging their own treatment.

The list of culprits might surprise you:

• NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can raise blood pressure by five to ten points. So, if you’re a weekend warrior who regularly pops Advil after tackling your to-do list, you might be undoing all the hard work of your blood pressure medication.
• Antidepressants, particularly certain types like venlafaxine (Effexor), can significantly impact blood pressure. Some studies suggest SSRIs may drive BP up in older adults.
• Decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are notorious for spiking blood pressure.
• Oral steroids like prednisone, used for everything from asthma to arthritis, can cause fluid retention and elevated blood pressure.
• Some oral contraceptives, particularly older formulations or those taken by women with other risk factors, can raise blood pressure.
• Certain antipsychotics for mental health conditions can also raise blood pressure.

Some herbal supplements can also raise blood pressure. Ginseng, ephedra, and licorice root are among the ones to look out for.

When a blood pressure med fails, doctors are often quick to prescribe another. But they rarely check for drug interactions.

So, what should you do about it?

• Bring every medication and supplement you take (prescription and over-the-counter) to your next doctor’s appointment. Dump them all out and ask specifically, “Could any of these be raising my blood pressure?”
• Before taking any new medication or supplement, including cold and pain relievers you grab at the drug store, ask your doctor or pharmacist about its effects on blood pressure.
• Monitor your blood pressure at home and keep a log noting your blood pressure readings, the medications and supplements you take, and when you take them. You might spot patterns your doctor would miss during brief office visits.

I’ve seen patients reduce or eliminate their need for blood pressure medications simply by identifying and removing the drugs that were working against them.

But remember, you should never stop a prescription without first consulting with a health care professional.

P.S. Try this doctor-approved method to ditch your blood pressure meds

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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