Anxiety and high blood pressure are two health conditions that may occur together. But many people wonder if one can directly cause the other.
In this blog we are going to learn about anxiety, high blood pressure, their relationship and some management techniques to reduce anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response of our body to stress or perceived threats. It is a feeling of excessive fear that persists even without the presence of a specific trigger. Its common symptoms include;
- Increased heart rate
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Dryness of mouth
These symptoms are caused by the activation of your body’s “fight or flight” response, when you are in a stressful or fear inducing situation. The activation of the “fight or flight” response causes release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body to either confront or flee from the threat.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension is a condition in which pressure in your blood vessels is too high. It is written as two numbers. The first number (systolic) represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart contracts and beats. The second number (diastolic) indicates the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart relaxes between the beats.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO), “Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.”
Most people with high blood pressure don’t experience any symptoms. However, very high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as;
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred Vision
- Buzzing in the ears
- Anxiety
Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety can cause physical changes like increased blood pressure.
When you experience anxiety, your body’s natural stress response increases the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline causes your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to constrict. As a result blood pressure increases temporarily. These spikes are short-lived and do not cause long-term damage if they are occasional. But it can be problematic if the anxiety is frequent or chronic.
Some people may use unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with their anxiety such as overeating, smoking or drinking too much alcohol. These can also contribute to the development of hypertension.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are one of the medicines that are used to treat anxiety. According to a meta-analysis, researchers have found that SNRIs can cause a slight increase in the blood pressure.
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Anxiety?
People with high blood pressure may experience different symptoms including anxiety.
Living life with a chronic illness such as hypertension can also cause anxiety in many people. The worries that make them anxious may include;
- Future health concerns
- Symptoms that are affecting their daily activities
- Taking medicines for hypertension
- Certain lifestyle modifications to manage their condition, such as dietary restrictions
Anxiety Induced Hypertension Vs Primary Hypertension:
It is important to differentiate between anxiety induced hypertension and primary hypertension. Primary hypertension refers to high blood pressure that develops over time without any clear cause. It is the most common type of hypertension. It is influenced by genetics, lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, and other lifestyle factors.
On the other hand, anxiety induced hypertension is a temporary increase in the blood pressure caused by anxiety. If anxiety is managed and reduced, the anxiety induced high blood pressure may return to normal.
Managing Anxiety To Control Blood Pressure:
Managing anxiety effectively can help reduce its negative impact on blood pressure. Here are some strategies to help manage both anxiety and hypertension;
- Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
- Do regular physical activity such as walking and swimming.
- Consider psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce your anxiety.
- Do lifestyle modifications such as eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking.
If these strategies are not enough to manage your blood pressure, your doctor might prescribe you some medicines to lower your blood pressure. These medicines may include;
- Beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics
If you are suffering from anxiety or hypertension or both, consult your healthcare provider. They can provide you guidance and medications according to your specific condition.
Learn about when to seek help for anxiety.
Final Thoughts:
Anxiety can affect your blood pressure. During episodes of acute anxiety, blood pressure can spike temporarily. However anxiety induced hypertension is not the same as primary hypertension. With the right strategies, both anxiety and hypertension can be managed effectively.