Blood pressure and ringing in the ears: what to know

If you are asking whether blood pressure can make your ears ring, the honest answer is: possibly, but ringing alone cannot tell you whether your pressure is high or low. Research has found an association between hypertension and tinnitus, yet it does not prove that one caused the other. Many people with tinnitus have another explanation, such as hearing changes or a condition that needs an ear evaluation. A sound that beats with your pulse deserves particular attention. Check your pressure correctly, note what the sound is like, and discuss persistent or new symptoms with a clinician.

Can high blood pressure cause ringing in the ears?

The research suggests a relationship, but not a simple cause and effect. A 2016 systematic review pooled 19 studies with 63,154 participants and found higher odds of tinnitus among people with hypertension. The studies varied in design, and the authors noted heterogeneity. A later analysis of US survey data found an association among adults aged 20 to 39, but not among people over 40. Both findings are associations, not proof that elevated pressure created an individual’s tinnitus. (Yang et al., 2015) (Patel et al., 2022)

That distinction matters if you are over 50. Tinnitus is a sound you perceive without an outside source, and its causes vary. The American Academy of Otolaryngology guideline recommends a targeted history and examination, and prompt hearing evaluation when tinnitus is one-sided, persistent, or accompanied by hearing difficulty. The guideline also advises against routine head and neck imaging for nonpulsatile tinnitus that is not one-sided and has no focal neurologic signs or asymmetric hearing loss. Your clinician can decide whether those conditions apply to you. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

What does blood pressure and ringing in the ears mean if the sound pulses?

A rhythmic whoosh or throb that seems synchronized with your heartbeat is called pulsatile tinnitus. It differs from steady ringing, buzzing, or hissing. Some causes are vascular, but others involve structural or metabolic issues, so the sound is a reason for medical assessment rather than a diagnosis of high blood pressure. A review in JAMA Otolaryngology describes a careful evaluation as important because an underlying cause can sometimes be identified and because some causes need timely attention. Do not press on your neck or try to stop the sound yourself. (Narsinh et al., 2022)

Mention promptly if the pulsing is new, persistent, or only in one ear. Also mention sudden hearing changes, dizziness, ear fullness, recent head or neck injury, or a new medicine. A clinician may examine your ears, review your health and medication history, check hearing, and decide whether further tests are appropriate. The right evaluation depends on the pattern and exam, not just on a blood pressure number. (Tunkel et al., 2014) (Narsinh et al., 2022)

What if low blood pressure and ears ringing happen together?

A ringing sound does not establish that blood pressure is low either. If you feel faint, weak, or unsteady along with a low reading, tell a healthcare professional, especially if it happens repeatedly or after standing. Bring the actual readings and describe when symptoms begin and how long they last. A clinician can decide whether the pressure, a medicine, dehydration, an ear problem, or another factor needs attention. Do not change a prescribed medicine based on tinnitus or a single home reading.

Warning signs: when to get medical help

Call 911 if a blood pressure reading is 180/120 mmHg or higher and you also have chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, a change in vision, or difficulty speaking. If a reading is that high without those symptoms, contact a healthcare professional promptly for instructions; do not try to bring it down by changing medication on your own.

Fainting or chest pain with low blood pressure also needs urgent care. Seek prompt evaluation for sudden hearing loss, new neurologic symptoms, or tinnitus that pulses with your heartbeat. Persistent one-sided ringing or ringing with hearing difficulty merits a medical appointment. The tinnitus guideline recommends targeted assessment and hearing evaluation in these situations. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

Practical steps before considering supplements

Get a useful blood pressure reading

A single number taken while rushing, talking, or feeling worried may not represent your usual pressure. Use a validated upper arm cuff that fits, follow its instructions, and sit quietly before measuring. Keep a brief log with the time, reading, pulse if shown, symptoms, and any relevant context such as a recent medication change. Share the log with your clinician. For help interpreting the top and bottom numbers, see how to read a blood pressure reading and normal blood pressure by age. A home result is information for a discussion, not a self-diagnosis.

Describe the sound clearly

Write down whether it is steady or rhythmic, whether it matches your heartbeat, whether it is in one or both ears, when it began, and what else you notice. This kind of history helps distinguish patterns that call for different evaluations. The tinnitus guideline supports a targeted history and physical examination rather than assuming the sound has one cause. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

Protect hearing and reduce the strain of persistent tinnitus

Avoid loud sound exposure when possible, and use suitable hearing protection around power tools, firearms, or loud events. If tinnitus is persistent, bothersome, or paired with hearing difficulty, arrange a hearing assessment. For persistent bothersome tinnitus with documented hearing loss, the guideline recommends a hearing aid evaluation; it also recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for persistent bothersome tinnitus. These options address hearing and the distress tinnitus can create, not blood pressure itself. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

Address blood pressure with your care team

If repeated measurements are high, discuss them with your clinician and ask what follow-up makes sense. Bring your medication and supplement list. The research linking hypertension and tinnitus does not establish that lowering pressure will stop ringing, so manage blood pressure for your overall health and treat the ear symptom as its own question. Keep usual health habits, including regular activity and a balanced eating pattern, in the plan you and your clinician choose. Do not use a supplement in place of prescribed care. (Yang et al., 2015)

For related questions, read high blood pressure symptoms, can high blood pressure cause headaches, and why blood pressure is higher in the morning.

What about supplements?

Supplements are not a proven way to diagnose or resolve ringing in the ears. The tinnitus guideline recommends against ginkgo, melatonin, zinc, and other dietary supplements as routine treatment for persistent bothersome tinnitus. The blood pressure and tinnitus association studies also do not demonstrate that a supplement can treat either condition. If you are considering a product for general circulation support, first review evidence and label details with your clinician, especially if you take medication. Our heart and circulation supplement comparison explains how we assess labels, and the Cardio Shield review shows one product’s findings. Our scores are strict, and a review score is not a prediction of personal results. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

Next step

If the sound is new, pulse-synchronous, one-sided, or affecting your hearing, arrange an evaluation and bring a brief symptom and blood pressure log. For broader product research after that, the heart and circulation comparison guide is the next page to read. Results vary; talk to your doctor, especially if you take medications. New or worsening symptoms deserve medical care.

Frequently asked questions

Can high blood pressure make your ears ring?

It may be associated with tinnitus, but the available studies do not show that high pressure is the cause of ringing in a particular person. Tinnitus has several possible explanations, so a reading and an ear assessment answer different questions. (Yang et al., 2015)

Can low blood pressure cause ringing in the ears?

Ringing by itself does not tell you that your pressure is low. If it comes with faintness, weakness, or unsteadiness, record the reading and symptoms and contact a healthcare professional for advice.

Is pulsing in one ear an emergency?

Pulse-synchronous tinnitus should be medically assessed because causes vary and some need timely evaluation. Call 911 if it comes with emergency symptoms such as weakness, trouble speaking, chest pain, or severe shortness of breath. (Narsinh et al., 2022)

Should I take ginkgo or another supplement for tinnitus?

The tinnitus guideline recommends against dietary supplements, including ginkgo, melatonin, and zinc, as routine treatment for persistent bothersome tinnitus. Discuss any product with your clinician, particularly if you take medication. (Tunkel et al., 2014)

When should I book a hearing test?

The guideline recommends prompt comprehensive hearing evaluation for tinnitus that is one-sided, persistent for six months or more, or associated with hearing difficulty. A clinician can help determine the next step for your particular symptoms. (Tunkel et al., 2014)