High stress increases the blood pressure

Stressful situations can increase your blood pressure temporarily, but researchers are not sure that stress causes long-term high blood pressure. Researchers have found that other behaviors linked to stress — such as overeating, drinking alcohol and poor sleep habits cause high blood pressure. But it is sure that stress will worsen the condition of high blood pressure or heart patients.

These modern-day events are so stressful that your body produces enough stress hormones to temporarily increase your blood pressure. The hormones produced when you're emotionally stressed may damage your arteries, leading to heart disease. It may also make you to neglect the intake of your medications used to control high blood pressure or other heart conditions. Though stress temporarily increases your blood pressure, your blood pressure returns to normal once the stressor disappears. However, even temporary increase in blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, heart and kidneys in a way similar to long-term high blood pressure. If you react to stress by smoking, drinking too much alcohol or eating unhealthy foods, you increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

When you are exposed to long periods of stress, your body gives physical, mental, emotional and behavioral warning signals. Some of the physical warning signals are dizziness, clenched jaws, headaches, indigestion, muscle tension, general aches and pains, grinding teeth, difficulty sleeping, racing heart, ringing in the ears, stooped posture, sweaty palms, tiredness, exhaustion, trembling, weight gain or loss, and stomach upset. Some of the mental warning signals are constant worry, difficulty in making decisions, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, lack of creativity, loss of sense of humor and poor memory. Some of the emotional warning signals are anger, anxiety, crying, depression, feeling powerless, frequent mood swings, irritability, loneliness, negative thinking, nervousness and sadness. Some of the behavioral warning signals are bossiness, compulsive eating, critical attitude of others, explosive actions, frequent job changes, impulsive actions, increased use of alcohol or drugs and withdrawal from relationships or social situations. If you ignore these warning signals and continue to be stressed without relaxing your, you are likely to develop health problems or you are likely to worsen an existing illness.

Stress-reducing activities can lower your blood pressure. Taking steps to reduce your stress can improve your general health, including your blood pressure. You can reduce or avoid stress in a number of ways: First identify the cause which makes you feel stressed, and try to avoid or get rid of that cause. In order to reduce stress, relax your body every day. You can relax your body by deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, and listening to good relaxing music. Your body is able to fight stress better when you eat well-balanced meals. Eat proper healthy diet. Eat food that is high in dietary fiber such as whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Limit your consumption of sugar, salt and saturated fat and cholesterol. Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine that you drink. Try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Do activities or exercises can help you to manage your stress level and maintain a healthy weight? This improves your health and results in lowering your blood pressure. Get enough rest and sleep. Maintain a positive attitude and be calm during stressful situations.

Bookmark & Share