Antioxidant Supplements May Help Lower Blood Pressure In Patients With Vascular Disease

Blood pressure increases when people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) exercise, but a new U.S. study shows that increasing the levels of the antioxidant vitamin C in the blood lowers blood pressure during exercise. Reduced blood flow associated with PAD causes pain in the legs and increases blood pressure. The researchers said that during normal, everyday activities such as walking, an impaired antioxidant system in PAD patients plays a role in increasing blood pressure. Supplementing the diet with antioxidants may help these patients, “but more studies are needed to confirm this concept," they said.