Is it smart to use every possible means of lowering blood pressure? Sometimes we need that kind of intensive effort. But pulling out all the stops isn’t always necessary. Could drinking beet juice cause vertigo? One reader thinks so.
Beet Juice for Heart Health:
Q. I read that beet juice is good for your health and heart. I have high blood pressure and take losartan and metoprolol to control it. I also had three stents inserted in my arteries almost four years ago.
I started to drink small amounts of beet juice in February. Within two days I had episodes of lightheadedness, vertigo and nausea. That might have been the result of food poisoning, so I held off drinking more beet juice for several weeks.
Three days ago I drank a bit more, and again I had episodes of light-headedness after a couple of hours. Did drinking beet juice cause vertigo and lightheadedness? I’ll be asking my doctor as well when I have my annual physical.
Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure:
A. One reason beet juice has such a healthful reputation is that it can make blood vessels more flexible and lower blood pressure (d’El-Rei et al, International Journal of Hypertension, online March 21, 2016). Perhaps adding beet juice to medications like losartan and metoprolol might have lowered your blood pressure too much. Symptoms of hypotension include lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint and nausea.
One study demonstrated that a glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by over 8 points (Kapil et al, Hypertension, Feb. 2015). That’s as much as some anti-hypertensive medications.
Monitor Your Own Blood Pressure:
We would encourage you to measure your blood pressure at home. If your blood pressure is under good control with the medications you are taking, your doctor may advise you to avoid the additional effect of beet juice.
