Treating a cold speeds recovery, so people with hypertension should choose safe cold medicines, rather than avoid all drugs. While cold formulas that include decongestant ingredients may raise blood pressure, many other preparations exist to relieve fever, cough and nasal problems.
Foregoing treatment can lead to prolonged discomfort and exacerbate other health problems. Individuals with asthma, for instance, may suffer attacks brought on by respiratory symptoms. Hypertensive patients should address cold symptoms with cold and allergy medications recommended for those with heart conditions.
Analgesics
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin effectively control the high temperatures that develop during some colds, MayoClinic.com reports. In reducing fever, these medications also minimize the chills, sweating and muscle pain caused by inflammation.
Heart patients can safely treat the onset of cold symptoms with analgesic fever reducers if they do not take daily aspirin therapy. Individuals who already take aspirin should ask their physicians for suggestions on dosing or for alternate drugs if fever persists for more than a few days.
Antihistamines
Both runny noses and sneezing develop from high histamine levels induced by upper respiratory infection. Antihistamine cold medicines remedy the sneezing and excess nasal mucus that cause breathing problems during a cold, just as they do for allergies.
These drugs effectively treat respiratory cold symptoms other than congestion. They are also the basis for popular combination cold formulas. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, stand-alone antihistamines such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine and loratadine are safe for hypertensive patients to take if they do not have glaucoma.
Cough Suppressants
Individuals with high blood pressure can take most over-the-counter cough medicines for cold symptoms without repercussions. Patients should stay away from so-called night-time cough medicines, though, if they also contain a decongestant.
UMMC suggests dextromethorphan, indicated by a "DM" on the label of many brand-name products, as a well-tolerated oral cough suppressant that will not affect blood pressure. In addition to reducing the incidence of coughing, cold medicines in lozenge form treat throat dryness and soreness.
Combination Drugs
Hypertensive patients should choose combination cold medicines that do not have the ingredients pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or oxymetazoline. These decongestants can raise blood pressure in people with heart conditions, as MayoClinic.com notes.
Antihistamine formulas that add acetaminophen or aspirin effectively treat runny nose, sneezing, fever, sore throat and body aches. Some also include an antitussive, or cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan or caramiphen. The only warning with these combos regards over-medication with aspirin. Hypertensives who take aspirin daily should always read the ingredients of combination drug products or ask a pharmacist for advice.
