Did you know chronic stress and anxiety aren’t just mental health issues and may cause more damage? Learn how chronic stress can lead to higher blood pressure.
Quick Summary
- Chronic stress has been linked to high blood pressure. When you’re constantly under stress, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, which can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure.
- Constant work pressure, financial issues, personal relationships, and health problems are reasons a person may feel chronic stress.
- Exercise, relaxation techniques, and professional counselling may help manage chronic stress.
Undoubtedly, stress can be a significant contributor to high blood pressure. Chronic stress is a type of stress that lasts for a long period of time. This type of stress can harm your health and increase your risk of developing health problems such as elevated blood pressure and heart disease.
Moreover, chronic stress can cause physical and emotional problems and lead to health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. It’s essential to learn how to manage chronic stress and to find ways to reduce stress in your life. Keep reading to learn how chronic stress and high blood pressure may be related.
Contents
Causes Of Chronic Stress
When someone is chronically stressed, their body is constantly in a state of fight-or-flight mode, which can lead to health problems over time. Some of the causes are as follows.
- Stressful work environment
- Financial problems
- Relationship difficulties
- Health issues
- Negative thinking patterns.
- Dwelling on past negative experiences
Symptoms Of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, both physical and emotional. They may include all or a few of the following.
- Chronic headaches,
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Problems sleeping
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re having any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek help from a doctor or therapist. Besides, you must check your BP readings with a blood pressure chart if you have preexisting conditions.
What Are The Effects Of Chronic Stress?
Chronic stress can have a number of adverse effects on both mental and physical health. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It may also increase the risk of developing physical health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Chronic stress can also weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infection. Additionally, chronic stress can make it difficult to focus and can lead to problems in relationships.
How Does Chronic Stress Cause High Blood Pressure?
Chronic stress may lead to high BP for a number of reasons. When you’re constantly under stress, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, which means your sympathetic nervous system is activated.
This causes your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to constrict, which raises your blood pressure. Chronic stress also causes the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can further contribute to high blood pressure.
In addition, chronic stress can lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, or overeating, which can also contribute to high blood pressure.
Eliminating bad habits will work in your favour in managing BP. Also, learn how to check your BP at home to monitor your health.
Now we know stress itself may not cause high BP; however, unhealthy coping habits may lead to hypertension and pose other health risks, such as stroke and heart attack.
If you’re constantly under stress, it’s crucial to find ways to manage it. Moreover, you may add the best supplements to lower blood pressure to naturally manage your health.
How Can You Manage Chronic Stress?
There are many ways that you can manage chronic stress.
Identifying your stressors
What are the things that trigger your stress? Once you know your triggers, you can start to avoid them or manage them better.
If you’re in a high-stress environment, taking a break may help you recover from stress. When you cannot avoid a stressful situation, try to take some time to relax afterwards.
Developing a support network
Talk to friends and family members about your stressors and ask for their help and support. A support network can provide you with the emotional and practical support you need to cope with stress.
When you talk to friends and family members, they may offer understanding and encouragement. You may join a support group for people dealing with stress. This can be an online or in-person group.
See a therapist or counsellor who can help you manage stress. Having a supportive network can make a big difference in how you cope with stress.
Exercising regularly
Exercise is a great way to release tension and improve your overall mood. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help to reduce stress. Another way is to practise relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation.
These techniques can help to calm the mind and body. Staying active may also lower your BP and help you maintain a stable reading. Invest in a good quality blood pressure monitor for accurate results.
Eating a healthy diet
Eating healthy foods helps your body to cope better with stress. You may try herbal teas and food to relax if you’re feeling stressed. Chamomile tea and lavender tea are known to have a calming effect.
There are some foods to lower blood pressure naturally. Herbs and spices like ginger and cinnamon may help in lowering BP.
Sleep schedule
Lack of sleep can aggravate stress, so getting enough rest is crucial. Make sure to create a bedtime routine that allows you to wind down and relax before going to sleep.
You may read something or listen to relaxing sounds to sleep quickly. This may help you fall asleep more easily and get the restful night’s sleep you need.
Conclusion
We all know that high blood pressure is a potentially dangerous condition, and chronic stress can majorly contribute to high blood pressure.
Being in a state of continuous stress that lasts for a long period of time may take a toll on your health.
If you’re feeling chronically stressed and also have high BP, be sure to talk to your doctor about ways to lower your blood pressure.
There may be medications or lifestyle changes that can help.
Now you can listen the review of this article on TheEMTSpot’s PODCAST (Episode 34) hosted by Samuel Harrison and Olivia Harper – check out the video below.