
What Is The Effect of Semaglutide on Blood Pressure? 5 Key Findings
Semaglutide doesn’t just aid weight loss—it also lowers blood pressure indirectly by reducing strain on the heart and improving metabolic health. Studies show significant decreases in blood pressure with its use, making it a win-win for your health journey. Read more.
- Semaglutide
- 8 min read
If you are ready to embark on your weight loss journey, that’s awesome – you are not only one step closer to becoming more confident in your own body, but you will also discover how amazing you can feel when you become healthier.
According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100 million adults in the US have obesity, while 22 million adults have severe obesity. This means that nearly 1 in 3 people, or a whopping 30%, are overweight!
While losing weight can make you feel better about yourself, it’s not the only benefit that you can reap – it also comes with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, enhanced mobility, better sleep quality, and lower blood pressure.
Isn’t that great?
While all of these benefits are amazing, today we are going to focus on one of them: lower blood pressure. If you’ve been evaluating the use of semaglutide, you might have asked yourself – what is the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure?
This is exactly what we will be discussing today – so, continue reading to learn more.
What Are The Risks of Having High Blood Pressure?
Before we dive into the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure, it’s very important to understand what exactly means to have a high blood pressure, and what are the negative consequences that come with it.
By understanding the risks of suffering from high blood pressure, and how they relate to weight loss – or weight gain, – you will be able to make better decisions about your health.
So, what does it mean to have a high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and is given by two numbers – the top number is the systolic pressure, which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, which shows the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
When your blood pressure is higher than normal, it means that the force of the blood that flows through your blood vessels is consistently too high. This can cause damage to your cardiovascular system, potentially leading to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
It can also affect your organs, which is why managing your blood pressure is extremely important to ensure optimal health.
What Is The Effect of Semaglutide on Blood Pressure?
Now that we know the dangers that high blood pressure can pose, it’s time to answer our key question – what is the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure? Does it help to lower it, and how?
First, it’s important to understand that this medication doesn’t have a direct impact on blood pressure. Its main goal is to target metabolic functions by mimicking the action of the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.
However, semaglutide does have a positive impact on blood pressure as a result of weight loss. Because semaglutide reduces your appetite and increases your feelings of fullness after meals, you will naturally eat fewer calories than you burn.
Losing weight is one of the primary ways in which you can lower your blood pressure. That’s because it reduces the strain on the heart and decreases the volume of blood the heart needs to pump, which can lead to lower blood pressure levels.
This is essential when it comes to the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure.
How Does Semaglutide Help to Lower Blood Pressure?
In addition to helping you with weight loss, the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure doesn’t end here. Let’s take a look at all the ways in which this medication can help you control your blood pressure:
- Weight Loss – As we just mentioned, semaglutide can help you lose weight by decreasing your caloric intake, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
- Metabolic Improvements – This medication also improves several metabolic factors associated with cardiovascular health. By improving your insulin sensitivity and lowering your glucose levels, it can indirectly benefit your blood pressure control.
- Endothelial Function – Another effect of semaglutide on blood pressure is reduced inflammation. Some studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists have beneficial effects on inflammation and endothelial function, thus improving blood pressure.
In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, a study with 3136 participants showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) across various hypertensive groups treated with semaglutide compared to placebo.
These reductions ranged from -3.16 mmHg to -4.95 mmHg, indicating that semaglutide can effectively lower blood pressure, especially in those with hypertension. Furthermore, the study concluded that much of the reduction in SBP was mediated by weight loss, and participants on semaglutide also saw a decrease in the intensity of their anti-hypertensive treatments.
This evidence suggests that semaglutide not only aids in weight management but also contributes to significant cardiovascular health benefits by reducing blood pressure. As a conclusion, the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure is indisputable.
How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure?
Of course, you shouldn’t rely exclusively on the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure – while semaglutide can be a huge contributor for weight loss and better health, you shouldn’t ignore other key aspects of your lifestyle.
In addition to using semaglutide for weight loss, make sure to:
- Adjust Your Diet – You should focus on fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole-grains to control hypertension. Pay attention to your sodium intake – you should aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, ideally around 1,500.
- Limit Alcohol and Caffeine – To enhance the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure, it’s also important to limit your alcohol and caffeine. Both of them can have a negative impact on your blood pressure, so you should monitor the amount.
- Engage in Physical Activity – You can also reduce your blood pressure by engaging in regular physical exercise. This can include walking, jogging, cycling or swimming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week.
- Manage Your Stress Levels – Another key aspect of your health that can enhance the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure is ensuring that you reduce your stress levels. Chronic stress can significantly increase your blood pressure.
- Quit Smoking – If you are looking to reduce your blood pressure, it’s extremely important to quit smoking. That’s because smoking can cause immediate spikes in blood pressure, and can cause sustained damage in blood vessels.
In addition, make sure to regularly monitor your blood pressure at home – you can do it easily with an automatic blood pressure monitor. If you have hypertension, or you are at a risk of one, you should measure it at least once a day.
Image source: heart.org. Effect of semaglutide on blood pressure
Of course, you should always do regular check-ups with a medical professional – don’t try to diagnose or treat yourself at home without consulting with a health expert.
Can Semaglutide Make Your Blood Pressure Go Up?
Even though we already saw the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure, you might still be wondering – is it possible for semaglutide to make your blood pressure go up?
No, semaglutide won’t make your blood pressure go up. On the contrary, semaglutide typically lowers blood pressure indirectly through weight loss. Rarely, side effects like nausea or medication interactions could potentially influence blood pressure changes.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to monitor your health and consult a healthcare provider if you notice unusual changes in blood pressure while on semaglutide.
Are There Any Long-term Effects Of Semaglutide On Blood Pressure?
So, are there any long-term effects of semaglutide on blood pressure? As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, this medication is primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and helping with weight loss.
Having said this, you will be happy to know that the long-term effects of this medication on blood pressure are positive. Since semaglutide promotes weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing satiety, you can reduce your blood pressure throughout the course of the treatment.
As we discussed earlier, excess weight is a major risk factor for hypertension, so the weight loss on semaglutide can lead to sustained improvements.
In fact, studies such as those from the SUSTAIN and STEP clinical trial programs have shown that participants using semaglutide experienced notable weight loss and associated decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over periods extending up to 2 years.
In addition, semaglutide improves glycemic control by enhancing insulin secretion in response to meals, suppressing glucagon secretion, and slowing gastric emptying. These improvements in metabolic control can contribute to better blood pressure – so, it’s a win-win!
What Should I Do If My Blood Pressure Increases While on Semaglutide?
While the positive effect of semaglutide on blood pressure is indisputable, in some occasions you may notice your blood pressure increase while taking this medication. If this happens, make sure to consult a healthcare professional.
They can assess whether the rise in blood pressure is related to semaglutide or other factors such as diet, lifestyle changes, or medication interactions.
Your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood pressure more frequently, adjusting your current hypertension medication, or potentially modifying your semaglutide dosage.
Always ensure that any changes in your treatment plan are made under medical supervision to safely manage both your blood pressure and your use of semaglutide.
Can I Get Compounded Semaglutide For Free?
As we just discussed, semaglutide offers even more benefits than just weight loss – it can reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and help keep your blood pressure under control. Which is great!
But did you know that you can get compounded semaglutide for free, and start reaping these benefits as soon as possible? This way, you can notice the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure quickly on your health journey.
Simply sign up for our ReferralProgram, get your $75 coupon code, and share with 3 friends or family members. Help us spread the word and enjoy the long-term effects of your customized medication with FancyMeds!
About FancyMeds
We are a state-licensed pharmacy that specializes in the compounding of customized medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.
While they contain the same active ingredients as Ozempic and Mounjaro, our medications are customized in a way that ensures that they meet your specific health needs.
By combining high-quality, FDA-approved ingredients with precise, expert formulations, we ensure that each medication not only adheres to rigorous safety standards, but also aligns perfectly with your prescriptions as advised by healthcare providers.
If you liked this article on the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure, you might want to take a look at the following articles:
- What Is The Average Weight Loss On Semaglutide?
- Semaglutide Muscle Loss: What Does Semaglutide Do to Muscles?
- Is Ozempic The Same as Semaglutide?
- How Fast Can I Lose 20 Lbs On Semaglutide?
FAQ
Is semaglutide safe for people with hypertension?
Semaglutide is generally safe for people with hypertension and can be beneficial, as it often leads to weight loss which helps lower blood pressure.
However, individual responses when it comes to the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure can vary, so it’s important to monitor blood pressure and consult a healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate based on your specific health conditions and medication regimen.
How quickly does semaglutide impact blood pressure?
The impact of semaglutide on blood pressure can be observed within a few months of starting the medication, often as a secondary effect of weight loss.
Significant reductions in blood pressure may become more apparent as body weight decreases over time, typically within 3 to 6 months. Regular monitoring is advised to track changes and adjust treatment as needed.
Can I stop my blood pressure medication if I’m on semaglutide?
Stopping blood pressure medication while on semaglutide should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Even if semaglutide helps lower your blood pressure through weight loss, your doctor will need to assess if it’s safe to adjust or discontinue your blood pressure medications based on your overall health and blood pressure readings.
How should I monitor my blood pressure while taking semaglutide?
While taking semaglutide, monitor your blood pressure regularly at home using a validated arm-cuff monitor. Measure twice daily: once in the morning before medication and breakfast, and once in the evening.
Keep a log of your readings to discuss with your healthcare provider, ensuring your treatment for both blood pressure and any conditions related to semaglutide use is appropriately managed.
Does semaglutide interact with blood pressure medications?
Semaglutide generally does not directly interact with blood pressure medications. However, as it can lead to weight loss and affect glucose metabolism, it may indirectly influence how blood pressure medications work.
It’s important to regularly monitor blood pressure and consult with a healthcare provider to adjust medications as needed based on your response to semaglutide. This is essential when it comes to the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure.
Can semaglutide replace blood pressure medication?
Semaglutide should not replace blood pressure medication as it is primarily used for managing diabetes and weight loss, not directly treating hypertension. However, it may indirectly lower blood pressure through weight loss.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to prescribed medications as the effect of semaglutide on blood pressure can vary.