Experts warn added sugars — not just salt — can raise blood pressure and cardiovascular risk

Health experts are warning that routinely consuming large amounts of added sugar — commonly found in fizzy drinks, ready meals and other ultra‑processed products — can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and premature death.

Research cited by clinicians shows people who obtain more than a quarter of their daily calories from added sugars are significantly more likely to die from heart disease than those who consume less. The findings add to longstanding evidence that excess dietary sodium raises blood pressure, and they have prompted renewed calls for greater public awareness of sugar content in everyday foods.

Around 14 million people in the United Kingdom live with high blood pressure, health authorities estimate. Because hypertension often produces no outward symptoms, many people are unaware they have the condition until it contributes to serious outcomes. Experts say early detection and lifestyle interventions can prevent many of these events.

Most public health campaigns have focused on salt as the principal dietary driver of hypertension. While high sodium intake remains an important risk factor — the average adult is reported to be consuming up to ten times the recommended daily amount — researchers and clinicians say added sugars deserve similar attention. Excess sugar consumption has been linked to weight gain and metabolic changes that can contribute to raised blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

The concern centers on added sugars — sweeteners included during processing or preparation — rather than naturally occurring sugars in whole foods such as fruit. Ultra‑processed foods and many packaged beverages often contain high levels of these added sugars, and experts say a lack of clear awareness means household staples can contribute unexpectedly to daily sugar intake.

Public health specialists advising on diet and cardiovascular risk have urged consumers to check nutrition labels, cut back on sugar‑sweetened drinks, and choose less processed alternatives where possible. They say population‑level measures, including clearer labelling and reformulation of manufactured foods, could help reduce overall sugar consumption and associated health harms.

Clinicians note that measuring blood pressure regularly remains important for early identification. Lifestyle measures that lower cardiovascular risk include reducing intake of excess calories from both added sugars and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following clinical advice on medication when needed.

The warnings come amid broader efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of death. Experts say that attention to both sodium and added sugars in the diet, coupled with routine screening and preventive care, is key to lowering rates of hypertension and its downstream complications.