Potassium Supplements Modestly Lower Untreated High Blood Pressure
Graded Moderate — an analysis pooling 19 randomized trials with 803 people; the trials were mostly short, typically four weeks, and their results varied widely.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Participants
- 803
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Funding
- —
Potassium taken by mouth lowered the clinic top blood pressure number by 5.3 mm Hg on average in people with untreated high blood pressure.
Taking potassium by mouth lowered blood pressure in people with high blood pressure that was not yet treated with medication. Measured at the clinic, the top number fell by 5.3 mm Hg on average and the bottom number by 4.5 mm Hg. That is the same unit shown on any home blood pressure monitor. The study covered high blood pressure with no other identifiable cause.
The researchers pooled 19 trials with 803 adults in total. In each one, participants were chosen at random to get potassium or a comparison: a dummy pill, table salt or nothing. The trials typically lasted four weeks. Some also tracked blood pressure over 24 hours with a device worn during daily life. There, the drop was smaller, 2.8 mm Hg for the top number.
Side effects were more common with potassium, at 12.8 percent versus 3.2 percent. Few people stopped because of them. Results varied a lot between trials, and 24-hour readings were scarce. Such short trials cannot tell whether the effect lasts for months or whether long-term use is safe.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
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