Researchers found that not getting enough vitamin B1 (thiamine) might cause a serious condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension, where blood pressure in the lungs becomes dangerously high. When people don’t have enough vitamin B1, their body’s energy-making process gets disrupted, which can damage blood vessels in the lungs. This vitamin deficiency can cause severe heart problems and even death if not treated quickly. While more research is needed, early studies suggest that taking vitamin B1 supplements might help people with this lung condition feel better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How vitamin B1 deficiency might cause high blood pressure in the lungs
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research rather than a new study with participants
  • Key finding: Vitamin B1 deficiency may contribute to dangerous lung blood pressure problems by disrupting how cells make energy
  • What it means for you: If you have lung blood pressure problems, your doctor might want to check your vitamin B1 levels and consider supplements

The Research Details

This was a comprehensive review that looked at existing research about vitamin B1 deficiency and lung blood pressure problems. The researchers examined how vitamin B1 works in the body, what happens when people don’t get enough of it, and how this might affect the lungs and heart. They also looked at case reports and small studies where doctors gave vitamin B1 supplements to patients with lung problems.

Review studies are important because they bring together information from many different sources to see the bigger picture. This helps doctors understand connections that might not be obvious from just one study.

While this review provides valuable insights, the authors note that large, high-quality studies are still needed. Most evidence comes from small studies and individual patient cases, which means we need more research to be completely sure about the connection.

What the Results Show

The review found that vitamin B1 deficiency can disrupt the body’s main energy-making process, called the citric acid cycle. When this process doesn’t work properly, it can damage blood vessels in the lungs and cause dangerous high blood pressure. The deficiency can show up in different ways, including a severe form called Shoshin beriberi that causes heart failure and dangerous acid buildup in the blood. This severe form can be deadly if not treated quickly with vitamin B1.

Small studies and individual patient reports suggest that giving vitamin B1 supplements to people with lung blood pressure problems might help them improve. However, these improvements have only been seen in a small number of cases.

This connection between vitamin B1 deficiency and lung blood pressure problems has been largely overlooked in medical practice. Most doctors don’t routinely check for vitamin B1 deficiency when treating patients with lung circulation problems.

The biggest limitation is that there haven’t been any large, well-designed studies to prove this connection definitively. Most evidence comes from individual patient cases and very small studies, so we can’t be completely certain about how common this problem is or how well vitamin B1 treatment works.

The Bottom Line

People with lung blood pressure problems may benefit from having their vitamin B1 levels checked and possibly taking supplements, but this should only be done under medical supervision. More research is needed before this becomes standard treatment.

This information is most relevant for people already diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension and their doctors. People with heart failure or unexplained fatigue might also want to discuss vitamin B1 testing with their healthcare provider.

If vitamin B1 deficiency is present, improvements might be seen within weeks to months of starting supplements, but individual results will vary and depend on the severity of the deficiency.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of vitamin B1-rich foods like whole grains, pork, fish, and legumes, aiming for the recommended daily amount
  • Log symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations to discuss patterns with your healthcare provider
  • Monitor energy levels, exercise tolerance, and any breathing difficulties over time, especially if you have risk factors for vitamin B1 deficiency

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have symptoms of heart or lung problems, consult with a healthcare provider immediately. Do not start vitamin supplements without medical supervision, especially if you have existing health conditions.