High blood pressure is also referred to as hypertension and is a condition which describes the amount of pressure that is exerted on the artery walls as blood moves through them. If a person is experiencing this psychological symptom it could be an early warning of the condition. Likewise, having high blood pressure could increase this symptom too. What is it?

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Medical News Today said: “Anxiety and high blood pressure can sometimes go hand in hand.

“Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may trigger feelings of anxiety.

“Anxiety causes the release of stress hormones in the body.

“These hormones trigger an increase in the heart rate and a narrowing of the blood vessels.

“Both of these changes cause blood pressure to rise, sometimes dramatically.”

What is anxiety?

The NHS explains anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.

It explains: “Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event.

“People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.

“As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.”

What the study said

In a study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the association between anxiety and hypertension was investigated.

The study noted: “Epidemiological studies have repeatedly investigated the association between anxiety and hypertension.

“This study aimed to summarise the current evidence from cross-sectional and prospective studies that evaluated this association.”

The study concluded that the results from their cross-sectional studies indicate that there is an association between anxiety and an increased risk of hypertension.

The results support early detection and management of anxiety in hypertensive patients. 

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Does high blood pressure cause anxiety?

“Having high blood pressure can trigger feelings of anxiety in some people,” said Medical News Today.

“Those whom doctors diagnose with hypertension may worry about their health and their future.

“Sometimes, the symptoms of hypertension, which include headaches, blurred vision, and shortness of breath, can be enough to cause panic or anxiety.”

Having episodes of anxiety can cause temporary spikes in a person’s blood pressure.

If those temporary spikes occur frequently, they can cause damage to a person’s blood vessels, heart and kidneys.

Indulging in unhealthy habits can also cause a spike in both anxiety and high blood pressure which include smoking, alcohol abuse and overeating.

Exercise is one of the best ways to not only control rising blood pressure but anxiety issues too.

The NHS recommends aiming for around 150 minutes of physical exercise a week.

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