Daily multivitamins may help lower blood pressure in older adults with poor diets

High blood pressure remains the world's leading risk factor for death, affecting an estimated 1.4 billion people in 2024. The condition contributes to nearly half of all heart disease and stroke-related fatalities globally. Now, new research suggests that daily multivitamins could play a role in lowering blood pressure, particularly in older adults with poor diets.

A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension examined the long-term effects of multivitamin use on blood pressure. Researchers found that daily supplements helped restore essential micronutrients in individuals with low-quality diets. This improvement was linked to better blood pressure control, especially in those with normal readings at the start of the study.

The benefits appeared strongest as a preventative measure before chronic hypertension developed. While the findings are promising, experts stress that further research is needed to fully understand how diet quality, vitamin supplementation, and blood pressure interact.

High blood pressure increases the risk of serious health problems, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss. However, some risk factors can be managed. Eating a balanced diet rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fibre, staying active, avoiding smoking, and reducing stress all help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

In the US and Europe, hypertension rates among older adults have slightly fallen over the past 20 years. Reports from the CDC, AHA, and ESC show a drop from around 70–75% in 2000 to 60–65% in 2022. Better medication use, reduced smoking, improved diets, and public health initiatives like screening programmes have contributed to this decline.

The study highlights a potential link between multivitamin use and blood pressure improvement in older adults with poor diets. However, researchers caution that more work is needed to confirm these effects. For now, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing known risk factors remain the most reliable ways to prevent and control high blood pressure.