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ANXIETY AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

By Tess Thompson

High blood pressure is a condition that cuts across all the age groups. It is important not to neglect this condition and one should get help as soon as he or she is diagnosed.

It is a symptom of stress and anxiety and should be diagnosed properly since the blood pressure in a normal person can fluctuate during the day due to the effect of stress, anxiety, alcohol intake and the likes. To confirm a case of high blood pressure, persistent elevated readings should be recorded at different times during the day, on different days and in different circumstances.

It is a well-established fact that acute stress and anxiety can lead to a momentary increase in blood pressure due to changes in the flow pattern of blood from the heart. Chronic anxiety can lead to prolonged hypertension.

Anxiety disorder has been linked with increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular mortality. Close to seventy percent of all the high blood pressure problems are linked to emotional stress or anxiety during difficult situations. Conversely, higher levels of anxiety have been found in hypertensive subjects.

When this phenomenon becomes recurrent, it can lead to long-term permanent damage like heart attacks, kidney failure or liver failure. Also, when one is anxious it is easy to resort to other unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking, which can further aggravate the problem. Hence it is critical that the treatment being administered for controlling high blood pressure should also provide anxiety relief.

Here are some tips which can help you manage your condition of high blood pressure and at the same time will help in providing relief from anxiety. One should eat regular meals and avoid stimulants like coffee. Preference should be given to foods that are natural like fruits, whole grains etc. It is also important to exercise regularly. It will help relieve tension and also boost the cardiovascular system.

However, it is prudent to consult your doctor before embarking on an exercise regimen. It is equally important to get adequate rest since it will relax the muscles and help in relieving the buildup of stress and anxiety. If nothing works, it is advisable to consult your doctor for medication to address your blood pressure as well as providing relief from anxiety.

Since these medications have their side effects, it is wise to evaluate the natural treatments for anxiety relief in consultation with your doctor. This can help you provide complete relief from anxiety, thereby eliminating the root cause of your high blood pressure.