The Connection Between Anxiety and Hypertension?

Anxiety attacks are often triggered by stress, panic, fear or an emotional condition. During an anxiety attack, one of the signs that you might experience is increase in heart rate, which also causes temporary increase in blood pressure levels. This temporary increase in blood pressure is also called as labile hypertension. There is no reason to get worried if you have experienced an anxiety attack once or twice in life, but if these attacks are experienced frequently, then you should be more careful. Frequent anxiety attacks can lead to chronic hypertension.

How anxiety impacts blood pressure?

1. Anxiety is often linked with stress which causes increase in the level of adrenaline and cortisol hormones in blood. These hormones increase the heart beat thus, increasing the blood pressure levels.

2. If you have anxiety, your doctor may prescribe some antidepressants to lower anxiety levels. Some of these medicines can lead to increased blood pressure. So, please check with your doctor if you have history of hypertension or are at risk of suffering from it.

3. Anxiety often disturbs the sleep cycle, which can also increase blood pressure levels.

What are the factors that trigger hypertension and anxiety?

There are some factors that are common for hypertension and anxiety and can trigger the condition:

1. Poor eating habits

2. Stress

3. Smoking

4. Alcohol consumption

5 tips to control anxiety

1. Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help in lowering the level of anxiety, stress and blood pressure by increasing the flow of energy.

2. Meditation: It is another very effective way of channelising your energy. It helps in achieving emotional stability.

3. Deep breathing: It has lots of benefits like  improving your energy levels, reduces stress and anxiety, lowers the heart rate. Additionally, It also helps in brain relaxation.

4. Aromatherapy: Some essential oils like lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, ylang-ylang when used with massage or in diffusers, can help you calm down.

5. Reduce caffeine intake: Caffeine increases anxiety and hypertension. It can also disturb your sleep cycle which may also impact blood pressure levels.

Following these tips can help in reducing stress levels and can reduce the risk of anxiety attacks and chronic blood pressure.