If you have high blood pressure, you should not take decongestants both because they can raise blood pressure and interfere with your blood pressure medication, according to the American Heart Association. This rules out most over-the-counter cold and flu remedies because so many of them contain decongestants. But that doesn't mean you have to suffer -- there are several options to treat colds if you have high blood pressure.
Safe Cold Remedies
If you want to use an over-the-counter cold remedy, you must read the label carefully and choose wisely, according to MayoClinic.com. Even if the label doesn't specifically mention decongestants many multi-symptom cold remedies include them. To be safe, read the ingredient list and look for these decongestants: ephedrine, levmetamfetamine, naphazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, propylhexedrine, pseudoephedrine, synephrine and tetrahydrozoline. If the product contains any of these decongestants, put it back on the shelf. There are now decongestant-free cold remedies formulated specifically for people with high blood pressure, such as Coridicin HBP, on the market that you can use safely. If you have any doubts, ask your pharmacist for guidance.
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Drug Store Options
If you have fever, sore throat, headache or body aches, a pain reliever can safely help without worsening your blood pressure, according to MayoClinic.com. Aspirin or acetaminophen is good options. If you have nasal congestion, a saline nasal spray can help flush your sinuses and give you some relief. Just make sure it's a saline spray and not one that contains decongestants.
Home Remedies
For a sore throat, try gargling with warm salt water, according to MayoClinic.com. Use ¼ to ½ tsp. of salt dissolved in 8 oz. or warm water. Drinking warm water with lemon juice and honey can help loosen congestion as can clear broth or water or juice. Drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcohol, coffee and soda, which make dehydration worse. Chicken soup helps in two ways. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve congestion by speeding up the movement of mucus. Use a humidifier to help relieve congestion and coughing. Get plenty of sleep and rest to give your body a chance to heal itself.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Are over-the-counter cold remedies safe for people who have high blood pressure?
- Medical News Today: Decongestants Pose Potential Risks To High Blood Pressure Sufferers
- American Heart Association: Over-the-Counter Medications
- MayoClinic.com: Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesn't, What Can't Hurt
