NSAIDs and Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know

When you reach for an NSAID, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these are among the most commonly taken medications worldwide, from ibuprofen to naproxen. But if you have high blood pressure—or are trying to manage it—NSAIDs might be working against you. They don’t just ease a headache. They can push your blood pressure up, sometimes by enough to undo months of diet, exercise, or medication. This isn’t rare. Studies show that people on blood pressure meds like ACE inhibitors or diuretics often see their numbers climb after starting NSAIDs, even at over-the-counter doses.

It’s not just about the painkiller you pick. Hypertension, chronic high blood pressure that strains the heart and arteries and anti-inflammatory drugs, medications that reduce swelling and pain by blocking certain enzymes in the body have a quiet, dangerous relationship. NSAIDs block enzymes that help your kidneys remove sodium and water. That extra fluid increases pressure in your blood vessels. If you’re already on a beta-blocker like Carvedilol, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, or a diuretic, the NSAID can blunt its effect. You might think you’re doing fine because your symptoms feel better—but your numbers are creeping up. And you won’t feel it until something serious happens.

It’s not just older adults. Even young, active people who take NSAIDs regularly for sports injuries or chronic pain can develop hidden hypertension. The risk goes up with dose and duration. Taking two ibuprofen tablets a day for weeks? That’s enough. Swapping one NSAID for another won’t help—naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac—they all carry similar risks. What you need to know isn’t just that NSAIDs raise blood pressure. It’s that they can make your current treatment less effective, and you might not realize it until your doctor notices a pattern.

So what do you do? If you’re on blood pressure meds and use NSAIDs often, talk to your doctor. There are safer alternatives—acetaminophen for pain, physical therapy for joint issues, or even low-dose aspirin if inflammation isn’t the main problem. You don’t have to live with pain. But you also don’t have to risk your heart. The posts below dig into real cases, comparisons, and alternatives you can actually use. You’ll find what works, what doesn’t, and how to make smart choices without guessing.