{"id":1582,"date":"2023-07-15T07:48:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-15T07:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/?p=1582"},"modified":"2023-10-02T07:59:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T07:59:44","slug":"hypertension-and-anxiety-can-anxiety-cause-high-blood-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/hypertension-and-anxiety-can-anxiety-cause-high-blood-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Hypertension and Anxiety &#8211; Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The APA, or the American Psychological Association, defines anxiety as overwhelming feelings of tension and worry. The condition may also trigger specific physical symptoms like increased sweating and heart rate. Apart from this, anxiety may also increase blood pressure. On the other hand, experts have also found that hypertension or chronically high blood pressure may also trigger anxiety-like symptoms in some people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To learn more about hypertension and anxiety, our specialists from our <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">internal medicine clinic in Hialeah<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/ivan-carreras\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Ivan Carreras<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have prepared this blog article, so readers can find out how to break this vicious cycle and ease the symptoms of both conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I.jpg\" alt=\"Young Arab Man Sitting on Couch Checking Blood Pressure and Taking Notes at Home I\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Young-Arab-Man-Sitting-on-Couch-Checking-Blood-Pressure-and-Taking-Notes-at-Home-I.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anxiety is a natural bodily stress response. People may have feelings of anxiety before receiving important news, before a test, and so on. It\u2019s triggered by the body\u2019s stress hormones, which increase the heart rate and narrow the blood vessels. Needless to say, both of these changes may increase blood pressure as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to scientific data, people who have intense anxiety may also have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. On the other hand, the research concluded that addressing anxiety in people with high blood pressure is also highly important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mostly, high blood pressure induced by anxiety will be temporary and subside once the stressors go away. In cases of constantly high anxiety levels, patients risk damaging their blood vessels, kidneys, and heart the same way people who have long-term hypertension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, in the long run, the hormones that are triggered by stress can lead to increased fat deposits, specifically around the abdominal area, and long-term anxiety may also induce particular behavior changes, such as stress-eating, which may contribute to an already serious issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Effects of Anxiety and Stress<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned above, anxiety is a natural stress response. Stress releases hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, which trigger a fight-or-flight response, preparing the body to face or flee the perceived dangerous situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This response also triggers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased heart rate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increase blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased muscular strength<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once the stress is over, the body\u2019s systems return to normal. Still, those people who have to deal with long-term stress may develop the following health problems:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lack of sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weakened immune system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increase fat concentration in the blood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Memory problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inability to make decisions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>High Blood Pressure: Can It Trigger Anxiety?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the other hand, hypertension may trigger anxiety-like feelings in people. Most often, these patients will worry about their future and health. Also, in some cases, people may experience panic attacks with high blood pressure as a symptom. Apart from these panic attacks, high blood pressure may also produce the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Irregular heart rhythm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ear buzzing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vision changes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, it\u2019s important to note that hypertension usually does not cause any symptoms; that said, it\u2019s essential to visit a doctor to check your blood pressure regularly and set up a consultation if you are experiencing any symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Low Blood Pressure and Anxiety<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Currently, no evidence suggests that anxiety may also lower blood pressure in people. However, having chronically low blood pressure may trigger worry and anxiety in some people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To make matters even more overwhelming, most symptoms associated with low blood pressure are strikingly similar to those of anxiety:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fainting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Difficulty concentrating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lightheadedness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Is It Anxiety or Changes in Blood Pressure?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned above, symptoms resembling anxiety can be observed in individuals with low blood pressure. If someone is uncertain about the origin of their symptoms, whether they are related to anxiety or low blood pressure, it is essential to consult a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moreover, individuals experiencing severe or recurring symptoms of either condition should promptly seek medical attention. A doctor will be able to accurately diagnose the root cause of the symptoms and recommend any required treatments. Seeking professional medical advice is crucial to ensure appropriate management and well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Anxiety Treatments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, there are several treatments that can effectively address anxiety, but it\u2019s important to note that some patients may need a combination of these therapies. #<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Medication<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several medicines that relieve anxiety-related symptoms. However, different compounds will work for different people. The most widespread options are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Antidepressants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buspirone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beta-blockers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Benzodiazepines<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Lifestyle Changes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People can make specific lifestyle changes to lower their anxiety levels. For instance, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/getattachment\/Extranet\/NAMI-State-Organization-and-NAMI-Affiliate-Leaders\/Awareness\/AKA\/Mental-Health-Fact-Sheets\/Maintaining-a-Healthy-Lifestyle.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NAMI, or National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, recommends the following approaches:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practicing mindfulness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Introducing regular exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eating a more balanced diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoiding drugs and alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Learning new skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Getting high-quality sleep regularly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Setting specific goals and rewards<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Making an effort to reduce negative thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creating a strong support system and maintaining it<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Psychotherapy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Working with an expert may also help manage and\/or reduce anxiety. CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is seen as one of the most effective approaches to tackling anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CBT helps people to alter their thinking patterns, reducing worrisome and anxious thoughts. People first learn different techniques to manage their anxiety and expose themselves to trigger situations eventually. This helps people overcome their anxiety in these situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>High Blood Pressure Treatments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People with high blood pressure may receive individualized treatment plans involving medications, lifestyle changes, or both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Medication<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are quite a few compounds out there that can address hypertension:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ARBs or angiotensin II receptor blockers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diuretics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beta-blockers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Calcium channel blockers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The medication type patients will get will depend on several factors, including the severity of their high blood pressure and general health. On that note, some people may need more than one compound to keep their blood pressure within normal ranges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Lifestyle Changes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Several lifestyle changes may also help people lower their blood pressure, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reducing salt intake<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Limiting or avoiding alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regular exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eating a heart-healthy diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Quitting smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Managing stress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Getting quality sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maintaining a healthy weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Getting Help When Things Seem Out Of Control<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Suffering an Anxiety Attack Alone in the Night\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/10\/Woman-Suffering-an-Anxiety-Attack-Alone-in-the-Night-on-a-Couch-at-Home.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you think that you may be dealing with hypertension, anxiety, or both, you must speak with your healthcare provider. Those who are experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical help immediately, as their condition may indicate a medical emergency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The symptoms to look out for are usually the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chest pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Muscle tremors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Back pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Experiencing speaking difficulties<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weakness or numbness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the other hand, both of these conditions are treatable. Also, those who experience frequent anxiety won\u2019t necessarily develop high blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, seeking timely help right after you realize something isn\u2019t quite right can significantly improve the outcome for either condition and greatly reduce any complication risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, even if you have been just experiencing short episodes of anxiety lately, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to an expert. You may also schedule an appointment with us. As trained professionals, we can lend you a helping hand and may help you find relief from your anxiety before it becomes something you deal with every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The APA, or the American Psychological Association, defines anxiety as overwhelming feelings of tension and worry. The condition may also<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1583,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[557,296,559,558],"class_list":["post-1582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health","tag-anxiety-and-blood-pressure","tag-can-anxiety-cause-high-blood-pressure","tag-hypertension-and-anxiety","tag-panic-attack-blood-pressure"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1582"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1582\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}