Multivitamins May Support Blood Pressure Control In Older Adults With Poor Diets

Globally, in 2024, an estimated 1.4 billion people were living with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Research by the World Heart Federation shows that hypertension remains the leading risk factor for death worldwide, contributing to nearly half of all heart disease and stroke-related fatalities.

Evidence indicates that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss.

Although certain factors, such as genetics and ethnicity, cannot be altered, modifiable factors like diet, physical activity, weight management, and stress control can substantially influence blood pressure outcomes.

Nutrition experts emphasise that a diet rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fibre can support healthy blood pressure. Consequently, many adults in the United States and Europe take daily multivitamin supplements to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

Recently, a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension suggested that long-term use of multivitamins may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure in older adults who consume lower-quality diets.

Researchers analysed data from the COcoa and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), which enrolled roughly 8,900 participants — women aged 65 and older, and men aged 60 and older. The trial investigated the effects of cocoa extract and multivitamin-mineral supplements on older adult health outcomes.

Dr Rikuta Hamaya, MD, PhD, MS, instructor in the Division of Preventive Medicine at Mass General Brigham, explained, “Despite progress, hypertension remains highly prevalent among older adults, with poor adherence to treatment. Vitamins and minerals play a known biological role in regulating blood pressure, so supplementation could be an accessible preventive tool.”

Dr Hamaya added, “Earlier studies focusing on single nutrients such as vitamin D or E produced inconsistent results. A comprehensive multivitamin may provide a broader spectrum of micronutrients that work synergistically, which is why we pursued this approach.”

Key Findings

Findings revealed no significant effect of multivitamin use on overall blood pressure or hypertension risk in the entire cohort. Nevertheless, participants with lower-quality diets experienced small but meaningful improvements in blood pressure.

This observation indicates that supplementation may benefit individuals who have nutrient gaps due to poor dietary intake and could serve as an early preventive measure before chronic hypertension develops.

Dr Hamaya emphasised the need for further research in younger, middle-aged, and more diverse populations to validate these findings.

Additionally, Dr Cheng-Han Chen, a cardiologist not involved in the study, noted that the research highlights a promising path for exploring interactions between diet quality, vitamin supplementation, and cardiovascular outcomes.

Although multivitamins are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, this research underlines their potential role in reducing hypertension risk, particularly among older adults with suboptimal diets. Ultimately, further studies could refine preventive strategies and support healthier ageing worldwide.

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