The American Heart Association lists decongestants and NSAIDs among drugs that can raise blood pressure, and the NHS says to speak to a GP or pharmacist before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure; the pages we read do not say whether the flu itself does. Questions to take to your pharmacist or doctor, and where Egypt's chronic-disease initiative says blood pressure is measured.
The American Heart Association (AHA, page reviewed 14 August 2025) lists decongestants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among drugs and substances that can raise blood pressure, and the NHS (reviewed 15 October 2026) says many cough and cold medicines contain decongestants. The pages we read do not say whether the flu infection itself does.
The NHS is England’s National Health Service. This page sets out what these sources say in plain words and lists what to ask. It does not assess your blood pressure, tell you to take or avoid any medicine, or diagnose anything.
In short:
- AHA (14 August 2025): decongestants and NSAIDs are among drugs and substances that can raise blood pressure; with high blood pressure, check with your healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medicines.
- NHS (15 October 2026): speak to a GP or pharmacist before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure.
- AHA (14 August 2025): never stop prescribed medicines without talking to your healthcare professional.
Last checked: 1 November 2026, on the pages listed under Sources. Guidelines and pages change, so confirm with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does the flu raise blood pressure?
The AHA page on blood pressure medicines (14 August 2025) and the NHS pages on decongestants (15 October 2026) and flu (3 February 2026) do not say whether the flu infection itself changes blood pressure. We did not search the research studies, so this page cannot answer that question. If you have high blood pressure and may have the flu, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
The higher-risk groups and the US CDC’s emergency warning signs for flu are in is the flu dangerous?, and WHO’s emergency symptoms for a very high reading are on the blood pressure numbers and home measuring page. With any of those signs, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services now. The Ministry of Health and Population’s figures from last winter are in the winter planner for flu, RSV and COVID.
Do cold and flu medicines raise blood pressure?
The sources name two kinds of ingredient. The table sets out what each says; the AHA’s list is longer than cold and flu medicines.
| Ingredient or class | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Decongestants (NHS examples: pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine; for nasal sprays or drops, xylometazoline and oxymetazoline) | Listed among drugs and substances that can raise blood pressure. Speak to a GP or pharmacist before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure. | AHA (14 Aug 2025); NHS (15 Oct 2026) |
| NSAIDs (the AHA’s examples: ibuprofen and naproxen sodium) | Listed among drugs and substances that can raise blood pressure. | AHA (14 Aug 2025) |
| Products with more than one ingredient | Many cough and cold medicines contain decongestants, so check the label. Some decongestants come combined with other medicines, such as painkillers and antihistamines. | NHS (15 Oct 2026) |
AHA, “Managing High Blood Pressure Medications” (last reviewed 14 August 2025), and NHS, “Decongestants” (last reviewed 15 October 2026), read 1 November 2026. These are the sources’ statements, not advice for you: what suits you is for your doctor or pharmacist to say.
What should I ask my pharmacist or doctor?
The AHA (14 August 2025) says to tell all your healthcare professionals about every over-the-counter and prescription medicine you take, and to read the labels on over-the-counter medicines for warnings for people with high blood pressure or who take blood pressure medicines. The NHS (flu page, 3 February 2026) says a pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. Questions to take with you:
- Does this product contain a decongestant or an NSAID, and is it a combined product?
- Given my blood pressure and the medicines I already take, is it suitable for me, or is there a different medicine to discuss?
- Do you have my full list of medicines, including over-the-counter ones and supplements?
- If I feel worse or do not improve, who do I see, and when?
The AHA (14 August 2025) says never to stop prescribed medicines without talking to your healthcare professional. If you are unsure about a medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor first.
In Egypt: who can I ask, and where is blood pressure checked?
An Arabic news site, almalnews.com, reported on 15 September 2026 a statement by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) on the availability of cold and flu medicines. As the site reports it, the statement says to consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any medicine and not to take medicines at random (read 1 November 2026). We found no EDA or Ministry of Health and Population page on cold and flu medicines and blood pressure on 1 November 2026, which does not prove none exists; the decongestant and NSAID points above come from the AHA and the NHS.
According to a Ministry of Health and Population statement of 7 May 2026, carried on the State Information Service page (updated 9 May 2026), the services of Egypt’s presidential initiative for early detection of chronic disease include blood pressure measurement. The statement says the initiative runs through 3,601 primary care units in every governorate and targets citizens over 40, plus people from 18 with a medical history or risk factors linked to chronic disease. It describes the services as free, and the page gives the initiative’s inquiry hotline, 15335, which is not an emergency number (read 1 November 2026).
Where Medigize stands
Medigize is a navigation tool. It does not diagnose the flu, measure your blood pressure or advise on medicines. We are building a record that moves with the patient, shared only with their consent. If you would like to follow that work, you can register your interest.
Frequently asked questions
Does the flu raise blood pressure?
The pages we read (AHA, 14 August 2025; NHS, 15 October 2026 and 3 February 2026) do not say whether the flu infection itself changes blood pressure. Your doctor can say what applies to you.
Do cold and flu medicines raise blood pressure?
The AHA (14 August 2025) lists decongestants and NSAIDs among drugs and substances that can raise blood pressure, and the NHS (15 October 2026) says many cough and cold medicines contain decongestants. If you have high blood pressure, ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking any of them.
Can I use a decongestant if I have high blood pressure?
The NHS (15 October 2026) says to speak to a GP or pharmacist before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before buying one.
Medigize is a non-diagnostic navigation tool. This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Sources
- American Heart Association (AHA): Managing High Blood Pressure Medications, last reviewed 14 August 2025, read 1 November 2026
- NHS (England): Decongestants, page last reviewed 15 October 2026, read 1 November 2026
- NHS (England): Flu, page last reviewed 3 February 2026, read 1 November 2026
- Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS): early detection of kidney disease and chronic-disease screening initiative, carrying a Ministry of Health and Population statement of 7 May 2026, page updated 9 May 2026, read 1 November 2026
- almalnews.com, 15 September 2026: a statement by the Egyptian Drug Authority on the availability of cold and flu medicines, as the site reported it, read 1 November 2026
- Egyptian Drug Authority: home page (we did not find a page on cold and flu medicines and blood pressure), read 1 November 2026
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