Do Appetite Suppressants raise Blood Pressure?

January 8, 2024 |

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In this article, I’ll discuss the potential of appetite suppressants in increasing or lowering blood pressure.

Appetite suppressing pills or suspensions can help you lose bodyweight if overeating is the main cause of your obesity, but we cannot leave their effects on your cardiovascular system unchecked.

Appetite suppressants can constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure by boosting the level of neurotransmitters or mimicking their action in neural pathways.

In the following section, I have provided a list of those compounds which can disturb blood flow and increase blood pressure.

Next, we will see, in light of research, if it would be safe for you to take these weight loss medicines after being diagnosed with hypertension.

And finally, you will find the review of an effective appetite suppressant that you can use safely even with high blood pressure.

Do appetite suppressants raise blood pressure?

Yes, appetite suppressants with some specific ingredients tend to increase blood pressure and heart rate.

The serotonin pathway is suspected to be the main reason for this rise since diet pills usually suppress appetite by increasing extracellular serotonin levels, which in turn raise BP.

According to research, weight loss drugs upswing neuronal serotonin either by inhibiting its reuptake or by stimulating more release.

It is inferred that this neurotransmitter couples with nonadrenergic and dopamine receptors to fake-induce a feeling of fullness.

And this study confirms the elevation of the systemic level of serotonin by appetite suppressants which may lead to vasoconstriction of pulmonary arteries and vascular fibrosis.

Hence, blood pressure in pulmonary vessels is increased and may lead to pulmonary hypertension.

The stimulatory action of some ingredients in the suppressant formulation can also elevate BP by increasing serotonin or mimicking other neurotransmitters by themselves.

Here are five such compounds found in appetite suppressants that can raise your blood pressure;

Caffeine

Caffeine anhydrous is implicated the most when we talk about the negative cardiovascular effects of supplements and diet pills.

It is so because caffeine is a strong psychostimulant that mimics neural transmitters and triggers nervous pathways associated with alertness and agility. Resultantly, this “fight or flight” response may show up as high blood pressure and pulse rate.

Studies have also shown that caffeine may cause an acute increase in blood pressure. If you use a product with high caffeine content, there is a considerable risk of developing hypertension over time.

Hypertensive people who already suffer from elevated blood pressure are more vulnerable to damage, as reported by this clinical trial.

Researchers suggest that such people should use caffeinated products very moderately. And since most appetite suppressants or fat burners contain heaps of caffeine, they can’t be deemed safe for hypertension patients.

Sibutramine

Sibutramine is an effective hunger-reducing compound and has shown significant weight loss in many people. But as it triggers the serotonin pathway, it usually spikes the blood pressure.

A meta-analysis held in 2003 reports that Sibutramine positively affects weight loss, but a slight increase in blood pressure was also observed.

It is suggested that hypertensive or borderline patients should use drugs containing Sibutramine cautiously.

Guarana

Guarana is a natural herb whose leaf extracts and seed powder is used in weight loss preparations.

It exhibits thermogenic properties, which means it speeds up fat metabolism, helps you feel energetic, and loses weight fast, as shown by a research paper.

A pharmacological analysis published by Cambridge university press shows that it is a combination of caffeine and ECGC (epigallocatechin gallate) that reported an increase in systolic BP by 7 mmHg and diastolic BP by 5 mmHg.

Synephrine

Synephrine is an alkaloid that comes from the extracts of bitter orange, often included in weight loss supplements.

According to a review paper from 2017, It is effective for curbing appetite but may have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. These adversities include hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, or even myocardial infarction.

These side effects usually get intensified when bitter orange is used in combination with caffeine.

Another randomized study suggests that bitter orange (which contains synephrine) can uplift systolic and diastolic pressure in blood vessels and multiply heartbeat. These results were even visible after a single dose.

Hoodia

Hoodia is a spiny succulent usually found in African deserts. It has been used historically as an appetite suppressant by people traveling in deserts.

According to research, it triggers adrenergic receptors and shows sympathomimetic activity leading to a lasting feeling of satiation.

However, this agitation of the nervous receptors also has some side effects on the cardiovascular system. Thus, it may result in high pressure and a faster heart rate.

Can you take appetite suppressants with high blood pressure?

Yes, you can, but do ensure that blood pressure-increasing contents are low.

As we have seen above, some compounds added to the diet pills have the potency to raise vascular tension and elevate blood pressure.

Especially formulations containing high caffeine content or a combination of caffeine with tea/green coffee extracts and other stimulants can do more harm than good.

To stay on the safe side, it is recommended that you avoid any product containing a higher content of the above-mentioned ingredients, and you should always check with your doctor before you start any medication or make a major dietary change.

Appetite suppressants that do not raise blood pressure

If you are looking for a supplement that suppresses your all-time hunger and speeds up fat metabolism without raising blood pressure, I would recommend PhenQ.

PhenQ

It is an appetite suppressant popular for its efficacy in weight loss.

With ingredients like L-carnitine fumarate, α-Lacys reset, nopal, niacin, and extracts from capsicum and piperine, it can effectively help you prevent overeating and quickly burn fats.

It contains a good proportion of L-carnitine, a vitamin-like compound whose supplementation is known by research to decrease body weight, BMI, and fat mass. Its efficacy is significantly visible among adult obese individuals.

Similar anti-obesity properties are reported for L-carnitine in a recent meta-analysis performed in 2020.

PhenQ is a comprehensive weight loss solution because it improves fat metabolism besides just reducing appetite.

Its constituent, α-Lacys reset, is a synergistic mixture of ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid) and Cysteine. These compounds have fat-dissolving characteristics.

ALA is a co-factor that acts as a neuroprotective agent, an appetite suppressant, and a metabolic booster according to my research.

Similarly, the proteinogenic amino acid cysteine is likely to make you feel full, minimizing the hunger sensation.

The best thing about PhenQ is its low caffeine content. It contains less than 145mg of caffeine per serving which is way lesser than the daily safe limit.

Besides that, no other blood pressure-raising element is present in this appetite suppressant.

Hence, the low proportion of stimulatory ingredients makes it suitable even if you suffer from hypertension.

Do consult your physician beforehand, though.

A bottle with 60 pills comes for $69.95 from the official website of PhenQ.

Additionally, there are discounted bundle offers as well costing $139.90 for (2 bottles+ 1 free) and $189.95 for (3 bottles + 2 free + free Advana cleanse).

Pros

  • Low caffeine content.
  • Fat burning efficacy
  • Contains all-natural extracts

Cons

  • Only available on its official website.
  • Expensive when bought in smaller quantities

Wrap Up

Many people use appetite suppressants to minimize the urge to eat and burn stubborn fat.

But side effects of these medicines can also lead to hypertension and other related cardiac ailments.

If you already suffer from hypertension, you should avoid high-caffeinated products and follow the advice of your physician.

Instead, you can opt for feasible exercises, healthy diet plans, and safe pharmacological solutions to get rid of obesity.

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