Things you need to know
- If a person's stress levels are high it can cause a spike in blood pressure that affects each person differently.
- It's very important to have an in-depth understanding of what your blood pressure means to your health.
- Deep breathing can counter the effects of stress and high blood pressure.
Stress and Blood pressure
Every day we work for long hours and try to accommodate as much as possible so as to deliver the best quality. But stressing over things you have no control over will only increase the blood pressure as it might make you feel uneasy, therefore, blood pressure will continue to rise.
Can stress cause high blood pressure
It is not certain if stress can cause high blood pressure but can affect the body’s overall functioning. When you’re stressed, your body produces hormones that cause your heart to beat faster, temporarily increasing your blood pressure.
Though there isn’t much evidence that stress can be a cause of high blood pressure, higher blood pressure is associated with smoking, drinking and consuming junk and unhealthy food.
Types of stress
Stress can be segregated into 3 parts, acute stress, chronic stress and episodic acute stress.
Acute stress
Acute stress can spike blood pressure by increasing the heart rate and reviving the sympathetic nervous system.
Chronic stress
Chronic stress can leave a constant feeling of negativity, and Chronic stress can have a negative impact on both your mind and body, raising your blood pressure.
Episodic acute stress
When a person suffers acute stress on a regular basis, it is known as episodic acute stress. People who are under this kind of stress are frequently overstressed. They appear to be in a constant rush, always running late, and feel disorganised and disoriented.
Ways to cope with stress
- Exercise
- Intake of prescribed supplements
- Aromatherapy
- Pin down your thoughts in a journal diary
- Socialise with family and close friends
- Meditate
- Yoga
- Stop procrastinating
Breathe in and breathe out slowly, and try to keep your mind in happy places.
Blood pressure can go up while you are happy, angry, or have anxiety attacks. It is important to normalise yourself to avoid an increase in blood pressure.
Keeping yourself hydrated can help in lowering blood pressure. There is no better drink than water for your body.
