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Yes, kratom does affect blood pressure. Some kratom users experience an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure after taking the herb. Even without kratom, high blood pressure is already a common illness.
According to some reports, instances of high blood pressure should be taken seriously. This alone can affect the organs and even damage the kidneys and heart.
What Does It Mean to Have High Blood Pressure?
The World Health Organization describes high blood pressure or hypertension as when the pressure in the body’s blood vessels goes above normal levels.
Blood pressure naturally changes depending on the activities we do throughout the day. However, hypertension can happen anytime and may not even show obvious symptoms. Having one’s blood pressure checked regularly may help diagnose hypertension when it happens.
Some of the common causes of hypertension include:
- Not enough exercise
- An unhealthy lifestyle
- Genetics
High blood pressure can damage the arteries and decrease the flow of oxygen to the heart. This could lead to heart diseases and other illnesses that could also damage other organs of the body.
Does Kratom Raise Blood Pressure? And How Does It Happen?
There is very little study to answer the question, “Does kratom affect blood pressure?” Despite the native Southeast Asians using it as medicine for the past couple of years, the herb is still not studied thoroughly.
Today, studies seek to determine the effects of kratom on blood pressure. But we still have a long way to go before researchers can get a solid conclusion.
What we know is that when ingested at high doses, kratom’s energizing properties can cause an irregular heartbeat or a higher heart rate. This is due to the naturally occurring compound in kratom called alkaloids.
Kratom’s alkaloids can cause the body’s nerve cells to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones and neurotransmitters play a vital role in the fight-or-flight response of the body.
This may sound like a treat to someone looking for energy from kratom use, but the heart actually has receptors that respond to the presence of adrenaline. And adrenergic compounds can raise the rate of heart contractions.
This effect is what causes the increase in blood pressure. And when blood pressure rises, the heart and blood arteries need to work harder.
Does Kratom Interact With Blood Pressure Meds?
It’s the liver’s job to break down medications that enter the body. However, kratom may influence the process of how fast it gets broken down. Here are the possible effects of kratom on your body if taken with blood pressure medications:
- It may alter the way your body absorbs the blood pressure medications.
- It may negate the effects of the medicine.
- It may intensify the effects of the blood pressure medication altogether.
Some of the most commonly used medicines to treat high blood pressure include Zestril and Lotensil. It’s best not to take these meds at the same time you plan on taking kratom.
Is Kratom a Blood Thinner?
Another controversy in the kratom industry is the belief that the herb also works as a blood thinner. While the answer to “Does kratom affect blood pressure” is “yes,” we can safely say “no” when asked if kratom is a blood thinner.
However, since kratom can affect blood pressure, note that high blood pressure means a higher chance of forming blood clots, while low blood pressure reduces the amount of blood delivered throughout the body.
Kratom’s Blood-Thinning Effect
The compounds in kratom have the potential to lower blood pressure. However, the actual effects would depend on medical history, sensitivity to actual blood-thinning substances, and kratom dosage.
One of the reasons kratom users take the plant is its relaxing effects. With the right dosage, kratom can also relax the blood vessels. This effect can resemble “blood thinning,” even though that isn’t really what’s happening.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
The best way to know if you have hypertension is by checking with a precise apparatus. This is because high blood pressure usually doesn’t show obvious symptoms.
However, once the findings reach 130/80 or higher, the patient may experience the following:
- abnormal heart rhythm
- severe headaches
- nosebleeds
- chest discomfort
- buzzing sound in the ears
- difficulty breathing
- confusion
- nausea
- vomiting
- blurred vision
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, happens when the body has a lower blood pressure than normal. That means the organs, including the brain and the heart, don’t get enough blood.
Some common causes of hypotension include:
- Anti-anxiety medicines
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
Low blood pressure isn’t easy to spot immediately. And just like hypertension, the best way to confirm is by checking the patient’s blood pressure using the appropriate apparatus. The normal range for blood pressure usually sits between 90/60 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg.
Here are some symptoms that people with hypotension may experience:
- Blurry vision
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
Though the answer to the question “Does kratom affect blood pressure?” is a “yes,” kratom isn’t always the reason some kratom users have low or high blood pressure. Hypotension or hypertension can happen regardless of whether you’re a kratom user.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree belonging to the coffee family. It comes from Southeast Asia and was originally used as medicine by the natives.
When natives from Southeast Asia arrived in the United States, they brought kratom for use in their community. Today, kratom is available in most U.S. states for leisure and enjoyment.
How can I check my blood pressure at home?
The best way to check your blood pressure at home is by getting an electronic blood pressure machine. It’s easy to operate and usually comes with instructions.
How much kratom should I take to experience the effects?
The recommended dosage for new kratom users is around 2 grams of powder. You can increase this gradually if you feel like you need more. However, different kratom products have different potency levels, so take caution when increasing your dosage.
