Can You Take Creatine with High Blood Pressure

Viewers with medically managed hypertension are in a difficult position. They hear about creatine's benefits for strength, muscle preservation, and even general health, but they also know it causes water retention. The logical, and responsible, fear is that retaining more water will increase blood volume and subsequently raise blood pressure, potentially interfering with their medication or creating a health risk. The disconnect is profound despite being a common and serious question, it is almost entirely ignored by major fitness creators, leaving a void of information filled with contradictory anecdotes and physician advice that may be based on general caution rather than specific evidence.

The primary concern is safety and contraindication. People managing hypertension are diligent about their health and wary of any supplement that could disrupt their stability. The fear is that creatine could directly counteract the effects of their blood pressure medication like Telmisartan and Amlodipine, leading to a hypertensive event. A secondary concern is the potential for increased strain on the kidneys, as both creatine metabolism and long term hypertension involve this vital organ.

If you are managing high blood pressure with medication, do not start taking creatine without first consulting your doctor or a specialist like a cardiologist or nephrologist. While general research on healthy individuals shows creatine to be safe, your situation is unique and requires a personalized medical opinion to weigh the potential risks and benefits.

• Renaissance Periodization Dr. Mike Israetel speaks broadly about creatine being cardioprotective and good for the cardiovascular system. However, this general statement does not address the specific mechanics of blood pressure in a hypertensive individual. The comment reports confirm that viewers with hypertension on Telmisartan/Amlodipine asked this question directly, but it went unanswered in the video content.
• ATHLEAN-X Jeff Cavaliere did not touch on blood pressure. This was a missed opportunity, as the exact same question from a user on Telmisartan/Amlodipine appeared in his comments, showing a clear audience need.
• Jeff Nippard, Jeremy Ethier, Dr. Sten Ekberg, & Myprotein also omitted any discussion of creatine in the context of high blood pressure or related medications. Their comment reports all show that this is a recurring question from their audience, indicating a significant content gap across the board.

This uniform silence from top creators on a common and serious health question underscores why viewers are so frustrated and confused. They are left to navigate a high stakes decision with no expert guidance from the fitness community.

• There is something you should take into account it might make your blood pressure higher. If you are on the normal levels it's probably fine, but it's something to take into account.
• In my case...the first time I stopped using creatine for only 3 days and my blood pressure was so high, I ended up in the hospital...I continued with the creatine, the blood pressure was normal...After 2 weeks, I didn't use creatine for only 2 days...and my blood pressure was too high, much higher than the first time. So, I don't know if I will use it again.
• IF you have pre-existing kidney disease, and you have high blood pressure problem, creatine intake can raise your blood pressure and heart rate via two mechanism Hypervolemia or Constricted Blood Vessel caused by Dehydration induced hormone, vasopressin.
• Does it raise blood pressure

Schedule an appointment with the doctor who manages your hypertension. Write down your specific questions I'm considering taking 3-5 grams of creatine monohydrate for muscle and cognitive health. Given that I take Your Medication Name, are there any known interactions? I understand it causes water retention how should I monitor my blood pressure at home if you approve a trial?

• Mistake Assuming a general cardioprotective benefit means it's safe for your specific condition.
  Fix Understand that a supplement can be broadly good for the cardiovascular system in healthy people but still pose risks for someone with a pre-existing condition. Always prioritize specific medical advice over general claims.
• Mistake Starting creatine because an online anecdote reported it lowered their blood pressure.
  Fix Never substitute someone else's personal story no matter how compelling for medical advice. Your physiology and medication are unique.
• Mistake Forgetting to increase water intake.
  Fix If your doctor approves a trial, ensure you follow proper hydration protocols, as dehydration can put stress on both the kidneys and cardiovascular system.

The question of creatine's safety for individuals on blood pressure medication is a critical knowledge gap completely unaddressed by major fitness influencers. While some personal stories suggest it may be benign or even beneficial, the theoretical risk of increased blood pressure from water retention cannot be ignored. The only responsible path is to engage in a detailed conversation with your doctor, who can help you make an informed decision based on your specific health data and medication regimen. Do not experiment on your own.