Protocols › Potassium

Potassium for blood pressure

Goal: What trials of potassium supplements used in adults with high blood pressure, and how much the pressure fell.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 9 Nov 2026
Dose

30 to 120 mmol a day (1,173 to 4,692 mg) in a 2017 review.[1] In a 2020 dose-response review, the drop got smaller above about 30 mmol a day of extra potassium in urine, and blood pressure rose again above about 80 mmol a day.[2]

Form

Mostly potassium chloride.[1] Salt substitutes, with part of the sodium replaced mostly by potassium, probably also lowered blood pressure.[3]

How long

4 to 15 weeks in the 2017 review.[1]

What studies found

A 2017 review of 25 trials with 1,163 people with high blood pressure found 4.48 mmHg lower systolic and 2.96 mmHg lower diastolic pressure.[4][1] The drop was larger with a low potassium intake, a high sodium intake and no blood pressure medicine.[4] A 2013 review found the effect in people with high blood pressure, but not in people with normal blood pressure.[5]

Ask a doctor first

People with kidney disease, or who take ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or potassium-sparing diuretics, can develop high blood potassium.[1] In the 2020 review, blood pressure rose at high intakes in people treated with blood pressure medicines.[2]

People who have high blood pressure or take a medicine every day should ask a doctor or pharmacist first.[1]

References

  1. Potassium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
  2. Potassium Intake and Blood Pressure: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Filippini T, Naska A, Kasdagli MI, Torres D, Lopes C, Carvalho C, et al. J Am Heart Assoc, 2020. PMID 32500831
  3. Replacing salt with low-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS) for cardiovascular health in adults, children and pregnant women. Brand A, Visser ME, Schoonees A, Naude CE Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2022. PMID 35944931
  4. The effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in hypertensive subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Filippini T, Violi F, D'Amico R, Vinceti M Int J Cardiol, 2017. PMID 28024910
  5. Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular risk factors and disease: systematic review and meta-analyses. Aburto NJ, Hanson S, Gutierrez H, Hooper L, Elliott P, Cappuccio FP BMJ, 2013. PMID 23558164