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5 december 2019
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Anxiety and high blood pressure can sometimes go hand in hand. Anxiety can lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can cause anxiety.
Doctors characterizeangstsuch as feelings of intense worry or anxiety. It causes many physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and shallow breathing. Periods of anxiety may also increase temporarilyblood pressure.
Meanwhile, the long term has done just thathigh bloodpressure– to which doctors referhypertension- can make people worry about their health and future.
Keep reading to learn more about the connection between anxiety and high blood pressure, and how you can treat both conditions.
Fear causes letting gospanninghormones in the body. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate and constriction of the blood vessels. Both changes cause blood pressure to rise, sometimes dramatically.
Doctors believe that anxiety is the cause of white coat hypertension – a phenomenon in which some people consistently have higher blood pressure readings at the doctor's office than at home.
Anxiety-induced increases in blood pressure are temporary and will disappear once the anxiety subsides. However, regularly high levels of anxiety can cause damage to the heart, kidneys and blood vessels, just as long-term hypertension can.
IN2015 reviewExisting research shows that people with intense anxiety are more susceptible to hypertension than people with lower levels of anxiety. As a result, the researchers conclude that early detection and treatment of anxiety is especially important in people with hypertension.
Living with an anxiety disorder in which anxiety occurs every day and interferes with daily life can also increase the likelihood of behaviors that contribute to high blood pressure. Examples include:
- alcohol consumption
- lack of exercise
- poor diet
- use tobacco
Ininspectionreports a link between anxiety and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors - including physical inactivity, smoking and poor diet - in people at risk forcardiovascular disease(CVD). Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
In addition, some anxiety medications can increase blood pressure.
Having high blood pressure can cause a feeling of anxiety in some people. Those whom doctors diagnose with high blood pressure may worry about their health and their future.
Sometimes the symptoms of hypertension includeheadacheBlurred vision and shortness of breath can be enough to cause panic or anxiety.
Occasionally, anxiety works in the opposite direction, causing a drop in blood pressure.
This decrease may occur because some people breathe very shallowly during periods of intense anxiety. The blood vessels then dilate, causing blood pressure to drop.
IN2011 surveyidentified a link between symptoms of anxiety anddepressionand a reduction in blood pressure, especially in people who have experienced high levels of anxiety symptoms over a prolonged period of decades.
This relationship also seems to work both ways, like low blood pressurehypotensioncan sometimes cause anxiety and panic. The symptoms can be similar to those of anxiety and include:
- blurry sight
- dizziness
- pass out
- nausea
- dizziness
When symptoms occur, it can be difficult to distinguish between anxiety and changes in blood pressure.
Individuals should keep in mind that hypertension typically does not cause symptoms unless it is unusually high. If this is the case, urgent treatment is necessary.
Low blood pressure is more likely to cause symptoms, and these are often similar to the symptoms of anxiety.
People who experience severe or recurring symptoms should consult their doctor. A doctor can determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and prescribe treatments for both anxiety and high blood pressure if necessary.
There are several treatment options for anxiety. Most people need a combination of treatments.
Medicine
Several medications can relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Different types of medications will work for different people. Options include:
- buspirone, an anti-anxiety drug
- decidedantidepressants
- benzodiazepines, a type of sedative medication for short-term anxiety relief
- beta blockers, which doctors use to treat hypertension
psychotherapy
Working with a psychotherapist can often help people manage their anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is a method that a psychotherapist is likely to try. CBT teaches people to change their thinking patterns to help them reduce anxious thoughts and worries.
Once individuals learn techniques to manage their anxiety, they gradually expose themselves to situations that trigger the anxiety. This way they become less afraid of these situations.
Lifestyle changes
Making simple changes can go a long way in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Examples include:
- practicing deep breathing techniques or progressive muscle relaxation
- meditate
- exercise regularly
- get enough sleep
- eat healthy and limit caffeine intake
- avoid alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs
- reducing stressors at home, work and school where possible
- facing problems instead of avoiding them
- replace negative thoughts with more positive or realistic thoughts
Most people with hypertension will benefit from making lifestyle changes. Some people also need medication.
Lifestyle changes
Doctors often recommend one or more of the following:
- eat healthy and limit salt intake
- avoid tobacco and recreational drugs
- limiting alcohol intake
- exercise regularly
- achieve or maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)
Read more about 15 natural ways to lower blood pressure here.
Medicine
There are different types of medications to treat high blood pressure. These include:
- diuretics (water pills)
- calciumchannel blockers
- angiotensine-converting enzyme (ACE)-remmers
- angiotensin II-receptor blocker
- aldosteron-antagonist
- renin inhibitors
- vasodilator
- alpha blockers
- alpha-beta blockers
- beta blockers
The type of medication a person needs depends on several factors, including their general health and the severity of their high blood pressure. Some people may need more than one type of medicine to control their blood pressure.
People who think they may be suffering from anxiety, high blood pressure, or both should talk to a doctor. Those who have severe symptoms should seek help immediately, as the symptoms may indicate a medical emergency.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Both hypertension and anxiety are highly treatable conditions. A person with anxiety will not necessarily develop hypertension.
But seeking help as early as possible can improve outcomes for people with both conditions and reduce the risk of complications.
There is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure. Sometimes a person with anxiety will develop hypertension, especially if he or she regularly experiences intense anxiety.
Other people may develop anxiety as a result of high blood pressure.
Treatment for one condition can often improve the other. People who suspect they have one or both conditions should see their doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
