Blood pressure refers to the force that blood pumping through your circulatory system exerts on the walls of your arteries and blood vessels. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, may increase the strain on your heart, contributing to cardiovascular disease. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may decrease the supply of blood to your body's organs and tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cayenne, a pepper grown in Asia, India and the Caribbean, may affect blood pressure.
Hypertension Management
Capsaicin is the chemical compound that gives cayenne peppers their characteristic heat. This chemical compound is primarily used in alternative medicine for pain relief, particularly in fibromyalgia and arthritis patients. However, capsaicin may also lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk associated with hypertension, according to Healthwise.
Hypertension Risk
Not all sources agree that the capsaicin found in cayenne peppers lowers blood pressure or reduces heart disease risk. In a study documented in "International Journal of Cardiology," pigs given capsaicin supplements demonstrated elevated blood pressure. Capsaicin may deplete cardiac C-fibers of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a substance that may dilate cardiac arteries. However, the link between capsaicin and hypertensive risk has not been established in humans.
Interactions
Cayenne may interact with both prescription medications and herbs. It may increase the activity of prescription blood-thinners such as warfarin and heparin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The effect of this interaction on blood pressure has not been documented; however, it may increase your risk of bleeding from ulcers, skin wounds and injured organs. It may also increase the blood-thinning activity of herbs such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba and ginseng.
Considerations
Cayenne pepper may also pose other health risks. Handling cayenne peppers may result in painful burns on your skin and can cause severe irritation to the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth. Wear food-grade gloves when handling fresh cayenne peppers. Also, this pepper may occasionally cause stomach upset, heartburn and diarrhea. Heavy consumption of cayenne peppers may also contribute to the formation of ulcers, according to Healthwise.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypotension; Linda Vorvick, MD; February 2009
- Healthwise; Capsaicin; Eileen Ellig, et al.; June 2009
- "International Journal of Cardiology"; Capsaicin, Arterial Hypertensive Crisis an Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with High Levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; S. Patane, et al.; May 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Possible Interactions with Cayenne; Seven D. Ehrlich, NMD; February 2007
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