Being the research addict that I am, I came across a study of how anxiety can affect your blood pressure. One of the immediate physiological changes that occur when an individual gets anxious is the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones stimulate the heart and circulatory system, resulting in an increase in blood pressure.
Many of us know what’s called, “white coat hypertension,” a temporary increase in blood pressure, due to the stress and anxiety that may come with being in certain environments (ie. doctors office). However, prolonged anxiety can lead to chronic hypertension which is a dangerous condition which can lead to several health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage and should be taken very seriously.
As a functional medicine doctor and Chinese medicine practitioner, I always look for an underlying reason when treating a patient. It is important to remember that hypertension is a symptom and not a disease and should be treated as such - finding the reasons and addressing those. Having the medicine available to quickly bring the numbers down is wonderful, but putting people on medicine for the rest of their life that causes other problems in the body, without treating the cause is not something I personally support.
There are several health reasons for hypertension and anxiety is certainly one of the more common ones.
Anxiety can impact blood pressure in several ways, such as:
Increased Heart Rate : Anxiety can cause the heart to beat faster, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. The faster the heart rate, the harder it pumps blood, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
Constricted Blood Vessels : Anxiety can cause blood vessels to constrict, which can also lead to high blood pressure. This constriction can reduce the amount of space that blood must circulate and result in an increase in blood pressure.
Changes in Blood Chemistry : Anxiety can cause several changes in blood chemistry. These changes can include an increase in glucose levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Managing anxiety is essential to controlling and preventing chronic hypertension. One of the best ways to manage an anxiety disorder is through psychotherapy which can help you understand and control your reactions to the world around you.
My goal working with patients is to unveil the underlying imbalances in one’s chemistry and energetics of anxiety and help restore the balance in your body using acupuncture, herbs, supplements, lifestyle changes, diet and exercise.
Illuminate is a natural formula created to help with anxiety. Our proprietary formula offers near immediate calming effects thanks to its highly absorbable form of nano CBD, while the blend of herbs help to provide a deep healing effect on the body’s chemistry.
In conclusion, anxiety can significantly impact blood pressure. Take care of its causes and prevent further complications.
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And please do not stop taking or change dosage of any medications without talking to a professional first.