The Vitamin You Forgot: How B12 deficiency is silently hiking your blood pressure

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Silent Trigger

Doctors often blame stress or salt—but a hidden B12 deficiency may be the real reason your blood pressure’s creeping up year after year.

Blood Sabotage

Low B12 lets homocysteine—a toxic amino acid—build up silently, stiffening blood vessels and silently feeding the fire of hypertension.

Plaque Partner

B12 deficiency doesn’t just mess with nerves—it can accelerate artery plaque formation, setting the stage for a future heart attack.

Toxic Loop

B12, folate, and B6 form a trio that keeps heart risk in check. Miss one, and homocysteine spikes—turning your bloodstream into a cardiovascular minefield.

Invisible Strain

When oxygen delivery drops from megaloblastic anemia (caused by severe B12 lack), your heart works overtime—pushing up long-term blood pressure.

Missed Marker

Millions live with “borderline” B12 levels—never flagged, never treated—yet they’re sitting on an avoidable risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.

Nerve Impact

B12 deficiency can quietly damage the nerves that regulate heart rate and blood vessel tone—leading to erratic or sustained high blood pressure.

Plant Pitfall

Vegans and vegetarians, beware: without fortified foods or supplements, your B12 may be tanking—while your heart silently pays the price.

Test and Fix

A simple blood test can reveal both B12 and homocysteine levels. And the fix? Often as easy as a daily supplement or a shot—yet rarely prescribed.