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Hypertension: Cocoa flavanols may be able to reduce blood pressure
- Cardiovascular health is essential to overall well-being and health.
- Risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure need to be promptly addressed to reduce the risk of further complications. People can also make lifestyle choices that might help prevent blood pressure from rising above healthy levels.
- A recent real-life study demonstrated that cocoa flavanols may reduce arterial stiffness and lower blood pressure in healthy adults, but only when blood pressure is high.
The health of the heart and blood vessels is critical to overall well-being. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, providing it with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. Researchers are constantly examining factors that impact and improve cardiovascular health.
One area of interest is how a component of cocoa—specifically cocoa flavanols—may impact blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
A recent study found that cocoa flavanols can effectively lower blood pressure in people with ideal blood pressure, but not when it was already low, as well as reduce arterial stiffness.
The study was published in Frontiers.
The importance of cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source is an umbrella term that refers to disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source notes that high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and obesity can all increase someone’s risk for developing heart disease.
Controlling these factors, such as through medications and lifestyle changes, can help improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk for more severe health problems. However, the intervention plan will look different for each person. Healthy individuals can take specific health steps to reduce their chances of developing certain risk factors such as high blood pressure.
The CDC states that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, and says it is considered the ‘silent killerTrusted Source‘ as there is no way to know you have it other than to measure your blood pressure.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that people can lower their blood pressure “with lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, staying active, and watching your weight” to reduce their risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a heart attack.
They also advise those concerned about their blood pressure to talk with healthcare professionals about ways to control it.
Cocoa, blood pressure, and arteries
Researchers of the current study note that previous controlled clinical intervention studies have demonstrated the blood pressure-decreasing and arterial stiffness-reducing effects of cocoa flavanols (CF) in healthy humans.
However, as these studies were in tightly controlled settings, the researchers wanted to see how well this intervention played out in real-life scenarios. The researchers used an n-of-1 study design, where a small number of participants were exposed to the same intervention or the placebo multiple times. They then compared the results for each individual as well as between individuals.
The study included eleven healthy adults who received alternating doses of cocoa flavanol capsules and placebo capsules for eight days.
They received the doses at the same time in the morning after the baseline collection of blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse wave velocity which they had been shown how to do using a blood pressure cuff and a finger clip for the first two days, and then entered data into an iPod touch on their own. Researchers use pulse wave velocity to measure arterial stiffness.
The participants took these measurements every half hour for the first three hours after taking the capsule and then hourly for twelve hours throughout the day.
The results showed that cocoa flavanols were effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing arterial stiffness.
One concern about using cocoa flavanols to lower blood pressure is the risk of the blood pressure dropping too low. However, in this study, researchers found that the cocoa had less impact when blood pressure was lower, indicating it was a potentially safe intervention.
Prof. Christian Heiss, study author and professor of cardiovascular medicine, explained to MNT:
“The study confirms that cocoa flavanols can lower blood pressure and improve arterial stiffness. The new thing is that it does so in the normal life of healthy people and only lowers it if it is ‘high’ even in the ‘normal range.”
Too early to call cocoa ‘a miracle drug’
The study adds to growing evidence of the effectiveness of cocoa flavanols in improving cardiovascular health. However, the study authors did note a few limitations and implications.
First, the study had a small sample size, researchers did not collect blood samples, and dietary influences on results were not evaluated. They also note that the cocoa supplements also included methylxanthines, which can impact health.
However, based on their research, they believe that the effects of the intervention were due to the cocoa flavanols. The devices they used in the study had to be manually activated, which limited some data collection and made implementing this kind of monitoring in everyday life unlikely.
Researchers note that the increase in heart rate found among participants must be considered a potential side effect. This increase could mask the effects of lowered blood pressure.
They also noted that it’s unclear why cocoa flavanols improve components like arterial stiffness, and further research could focus on this mechanism. The participants’ responses also varied, so developing individualized treatment methods for cardiovascular health will be essential.
Prof. Heiss explained that future research could focus on the “Development of personal health monitoring devices and accessible biomarkers of health to allow people to effectively improve their health.”
Furthermore, Prof. Heiss said that experts could also seek to “Evaluate if cocoa flavanols and other bioactives can improve the health of patients and how they can be effectively incorporated in the medical management together with or instead of drugs.”
How to stop blood pressure getting too low
Low blood pressure itself is generally not a cause for concern until it gets too low and begins causing symptoms. Managing any issues that influence blood pressure may help prevent these numbers from dropping too low.
For example, people taking high blood pressure medications should monitor their dosage and blood pressure to be sure their numbers do not drop too low.
If their blood pressure starts dropping lower than usual, they should contact a doctor. The doctor may want to adjust the medication or check for interactions with anything else the person may be taking.
Managing other individual risk factors from underlying conditions may also help prevent blood pressure from getting too low.
Learn about some methods of raising blood pressure here.
According to the NHLBITrusted Source, in some cases, people do not need treatment for low blood pressure. Instead, it may be enough to try some simple lifestyle recommendations and treatments, which include:
- drinking more fluids
- changing how a person sits or stands
- making dietary changes
- wearing compression stockings
Doctors may also recommend changes in some medication, such as adjusting medications for high blood pressure if they lead to dangerously low blood pressure.
Doctors will discuss any and all treatments with the patient in each case, and their exact recommendations may vary.
Seeking emergency medical attention
If a person experiences low blood pressure along with concerning symptoms — such as a loss of consciousness, mental confusion, and a weak, rapid pulse and breathing pattern — they should seek immediate medical attention.
In the emergency room, doctors may ask questions about a person’s medical history, medications they may be taking, or any infections or accidents they may have had.
They may ask about or check for symptoms. They may also administer tests to check heart rate and blood pressure, and imaging tests to check the internal body and organs for other issues.
Even if a person is experiencing mild rather than severe symptoms along with low blood pressure, they should still seek guidance from a doctor.
Doctors may want to monitor the symptoms and test the blood pressure themselves to make any necessary diagnosis and administer treatment.
Aside from these events, a person may have low blood pressure and be in otherwise good health.
Low blood pressure can occur without medical issue, and in many cases, it is not a cause for concern. People with chronic low blood pressure may need to work with their doctor to find treatment for any symptoms that appear.
Low blood pressure may be a cause for immediate concern if it is very low and occurs with severe symptoms, such as shock.
Anyone experiencing the symptoms of shock should seek emergency medical attention.
If a person is experiencing other uncomfortable symptoms due to low blood pressure, they should contact a doctor for recommendations to keep their blood pressure within healthy ranges.