Blood Pressure

Julian is living with HIV.

Blood pressure can be impacted by HIV

Stress isn’t the only thing that increases your blood pressure. If you’re living with HIV, you may experience low-level inflammation that, over time, puts extra strain on your blood vessels. Certain medicines and related health factors, like kidney function or weight changes, can play a role too. But there are steps you can take to manage it.

A Person Talking to a Health Care Provider, Seated Across From Each Other

Healthcare professional (pictured left) is an actor; James (pictured right) is living with HIV.

The facts about blood pressure and HIV

What do we know about HIV and blood pressure?

  • High blood pressure—also called hypertension—means your numbers are consistently elevated
  • High blood pressure is very common, and people living with HIV may have a higher chance of developing it
  • This may be linked to certain medications and chronic inflammation from living with HIV, in addition to other factors like:
    • Diet high in salt or saturated fat
    • Not enough physical activity
    • Smoking and heavy alcohol use
    • Weight gain
    • Ongoing stress, including stigma or discrimination
    • Family history and genetics
    • Age
    • Race or ethnicity
    • Underlying health conditions (such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or insulin resistance)
    • Hormonal factors, including perimenopause

Things you can do to help

What you can do:

Eat heart-healthy foods.

Try to go easy on salt and sugary foods. Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Move a little every day.

Walking, dancing, or stretching all count—find something you enjoy and make it part of your routine.

Know your numbers.

Check your blood pressure regularly and share the results with your care team.

Cut back on alcohol and skip smoking.

Both can raise blood pressure and make it harder for your body to stay strong.

Stay on top of your medications.

Take HIV and blood pressure medicines as prescribed, and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Julian is living with HIV.

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Images may include models used for illustrative purposes only. They are not individuals with HIV unless explicitly stated.