Can Daily Multivitamins Help Older Adults Manage Blood Pressure Risks?

High blood pressure remains the world's leading risk factor for death, affecting an estimated 1.4 billion people in 2024. The condition contributes to nearly half of all heart disease and stroke fatalities globally. Now, a new study suggests that long-term daily multivitamin use could offer small benefits for older adults with poor diets—though researchers stress the need for further investigation.

Hypertension rates among older adults have climbed steadily over the past two decades. In the early 2000s, around 50-60% of this group in the USA and Europe had high blood pressure. By 2020-2025, that figure had risen to 60-75%, driven by aging populations, higher obesity rates, and better detection methods.

Left untreated, high blood pressure raises the risk of serious health problems. These include heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss. Lifestyle changes—such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, avoiding smoking, and managing stress—can help lower this risk. The recent study focused on whether daily multivitamins might play a role in blood pressure management. While no broad effect was found, researchers noted small improvements in older adults with low-quality diets and normal blood pressure at the start. The findings suggest multivitamins could act as an early preventative measure for those with nutrient gaps. Over a third of adults in the U.S. and Europe already take daily multivitamins to support their nutrient intake. Key nutrients like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fibre are known to help regulate blood pressure when part of a healthy diet. However, the study's authors emphasise that more research is needed to fully understand how diet, supplements, and blood pressure interact.

The study highlights a potential link between multivitamin use and modest blood pressure benefits in older adults with poor diets. However, the findings do not apply broadly to all individuals with high blood pressure. Researchers continue to call for deeper investigation into how supplements and dietary quality influence long-term heart health.