Stress and Blood Pressure

Stress is among one of the key contributor that increase blood pressure levels of a person. Reducing the level of stress, therefore, can help lower the blood pressure. While accepting that stress is a normal part of every one’s life, its detrimental impact should also be acknowledged. However, some people lead highly stressful lives that constantly tax their mental and physical well being. Such stress levels can result in emotional, psychological, and even physical problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, angina, or irregular heartbeats. It is quite evident that stress full circumstances can cause temporary changes in the blood pressure levels. However, for some, the question is whether such short term pressure changes can in the long-run add up to chronic hypertensive conditions. Studies have found out that stress and blood pressure are closely interrelated.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Symptoms of stress may manifest as physical, mental, emotional or behavioral signs. These may include dizziness, generalized aches and pains, headaches, confusion, poor sleep patterns, feeling of fatigue, constant worrying, aggressive behavior, volatile behavior and frequent mood changes. People suffering from stress engage in binge eating, consume more alcohol, tend to gain or lose weight and are unable to concentrate on a particular task etc. Extreme stress may cause cold, clammy skin, faintness and blackouts that result from associated high blood pressure, resulting from the high stress.

Stress Hormones and Blood Pressure

In order to find answers to a common question of “does stress cause high blood pressure?” it is necessary to know how stress affects blood pressure. Stress is a trigger that causes the hypothalamus, located at the base of the brain, to release stress hormones. These hormones are known as adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline hormones are responsible for signaling to the heart to beat faster, and the blood vessels to contract. This leads to a rise in the blood pressure of the body. Cortisol causes an increase in the level of blood glucose, therefore making more glucose available to the brain as it decides an appropriate response to the stress factor. Cortisol also acts by slowing down the other bodily systems such as the digestive, reproductive and immune systems that are not critical in a flight-or-fight response. Once the stressful condition has settled, the body returns back to its normal state. However, it can become a danger to the health and well-being, if you are continually stressed, because elevated levels of Cortisol hormone will place your body on a constant state of slow down.

Side Effects of Stress Can Increase Blood Pressure

Stress and blood pressure is linked through secondary factors that result from stress. In addition to the hormonal impact, stress can result certain actions and behaviors that lead to increased blood pressure. For instance, some individuals tend to binge eat when they are stressed. This can increase weight, worsen obesity; lead to high cholesterol levels, especially of junk food is consumed. Excessive alcohol consumption and increased smoking are other behaviors associated with stress and can cause increased blood pressure. Poor sleeping habits, lack of rest and poor levels of exercise are other possible results of leading a stressful life. By setting aside time to enjoy life, engage in therapeutic activities such as yoga, Reiki, meditation, walking etc the general health and fitness levels can be enhances. Eating healthy food, drinking only in moderation and quitting smoking are other measures that can help reduce stress. By taking these precautionary measures, you can see how your stress levels respond to such changes in life. If your blood pressure also comes down in conjunction with the reduced stress, you will no longer need to seek answers elsewhere to the question of “does stress cause high blood pressure”?

Increase in blood pressure levels due to stress can be very dramatic. Blood pressure spurred by a stressful event can cause a sudden arterial rapture, damage the blood vessels, causing blood clots and increasing the risk of strokes. In addition, reactions to stress full situations by smoking, drinking alcohol or eating unhealthy diet, can affect blood pressure levels adversely. Using methods to manage and control stress can improve a person’s overall health in many ways, including its beneficial impact on blood pressure levels.