A simple daily habit may quietly reduce hypertension risk: New research hints at a surprising tool against high blood pressure

A simple daily routine could offer meaningful protection against one of the world’s most dangerous health threats: high blood pressure. A new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension suggests that long-term multivitamin use may help reduce hypertension risk in older adults who have lower quality diets.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, remains the leading global risk factor for death, responsible for nearly half of all heart disease and stroke-related fatalities, according to the World Heart Federation. With lifestyle diseases rising and long-term medication adherence often difficult, researchers are increasingly exploring accessible prevention strategies.

Why Scientists Looked at a Daily Multivitamin

The findings come from secondary analysis of data from the large-scale COcoa and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), which included about 8,900 adults. Participants were women aged 65 and above and men aged 60 and above.


Speaking to Medical News Today, the study’s corresponding author, Dr Rikuta Hamaya of Mass General Brigham, explained the motivation behind the research.
“Since vitamins and minerals play a known biological role in regulating blood pressure, identifying a simple, accessible strategy like supplementation could provide an important tool for prevention,” he said in the report.

While earlier studies examining single nutrients such as vitamin D or vitamin E delivered inconsistent results, researchers chose multivitamins due to the possibility of synergistic benefits across multiple micronutrients.

What the Study Found

Overall, the study did not show a major difference in blood pressure for the entire participant group. However, the story changed for adults who began the study with poor diet quality, assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score.

The researchers discovered small but meaningful improvements in this subgroup, particularly among those with normal baseline blood pressure.

Dr Hamaya told Medical News Today: “Individuals with lower diet quality have insufficient baseline levels of key micronutrients such as antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium that are essential for regulating blood pressure and vessel functions. For these individuals, the multivitamin likely restores these levels.”

The improvements, he added, suggest that multivitamin use may be most effective as an early preventive measure, rather than after hypertension has already developed.

Expert Response and Why It Matters

Although the findings are promising, cardiology experts emphasize the need for further study. Interventional cardiologist Dr Cheng Han Chen, who was not part of the research team, told Medical News Today:
“This study found that daily multivitamin intake over a course of over 3 years did not significantly influence blood pressure control, except in a group of study participants deemed to have lower dietary quality.”

He added that more research is needed to understand how diet quality interacts with supplementation and whether younger or more diverse populations experience the same benefits.

A Small Habit with Big Potential

While genetics and ethnicity cannot be controlled, several modifiable lifestyle habits are proven to reduce hypertension risk, including:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Staying physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress
• Avoiding smoking

This study suggests that adding a daily multivitamin could support these efforts, especially for individuals whose diets may lack key nutrients. As Dr Hamaya noted, the aim is to provide practical, accessible tools for prevention while larger solutions to dietary and healthcare access improve.

High blood pressure is silent, widespread and deadly, yet small and consistent choices may reduce its impact. For millions at risk, a daily multivitamin alongside healthy lifestyle habits might offer a simple step toward improved heart health and long-term protection.