What is the link between anxiety and high blood pressure?

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December 5, 2019

This post was originally published on this site

Anxiety and high blood pressure can sometimes go hand in hand. Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may trigger feelings of anxiety.

Doctors characterize anxiety as feelings of intense worry or fear. It causes many physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and shallow breathing. Periods of anxiety may also temporarily increase blood pressure.

Meanwhile, having long-term high blood pressure — which doctors refer to as hypertension — can cause people to feel anxious about their health and future.

Keep reading to learn more about the link between anxiety and high blood pressure, as well as how to treat both conditions.

Anxiety causes the release of stress hormones in the body. These hormones trigger an increase in the heart rate and a narrowing of the blood vessels. Both of these changes cause blood pressure to rise, sometimes dramatically.

Doctors believe that anxiety is the reason behind white coat hypertension — a phenomenon in which some individuals consistently have higher blood pressure readings at the doctor’s office than at home.

Anxiety-induced increases in blood pressure are temporary and will subside once the anxiety lessens. Regularly having high levels of anxiety, however, can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels, in the same way that long-term hypertension can.

A 2015 review of existing research indicates that people who have intense anxiety are more at risk of hypertension than those with lower levels of anxiety. As a result, the researchers conclude that the early detection and treatment of anxiety are particularly important in people with hypertension.

Living with an anxiety disorder, whereby anxiety occurs every day and interferes with daily life, can also increase the likelihood of behaviors that contribute to hypertension. Examples include:

• alcohol use
• lack of exercise
• poor diet
• tobacco use

One study reports a link between anxiety and unhealthful lifestyle behaviors — including physical inactivity, smoking, and poor diet — in people at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension is one of the most significant risk factors for CVD.

Additionally, some medications for anxiety can increase blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure can trigger feelings of anxiety in some people. Those whom doctors diagnose with hypertension may worry about their health and their future.

Sometimes, the symptoms of hypertension, which include headaches, blurred vision, and shortness of breath, can be enough to cause panic or anxiety.

Occasionally, anxiety works in the opposite way, causing a reduction in blood pressure.

This drop may occur because, during periods of intense anxiety, some people take very shallow breaths. The blood vessels then become wider, reducing blood pressure.

A 2011 study identified an association between the symptoms of anxiety and depression and a decrease in blood pressure, especially in people who have experienced a high level of anxiety symptoms over a prolonged period of decades.

This relationship also seems to work in both directions as low blood pressure, or hypotension, may sometimes cause anxiety and panic. Its symptoms can be similar to those of anxiety and include:

• blurred vision
• dizziness
• fainting
• nausea
• lightheadedness

Learn more about fluctuating blood pressure here.

When symptoms occur, it can be difficult to distinguish between anxiety and changes in blood pressure.

Individuals should keep in mind that hypertension does not typically cause symptoms unless it is exceptionally high. If this is the case, emergency treatment is necessary.

Low blood pressure is more likely to cause symptoms, and these are often quite similar to the symptoms of anxiety.

People who are experiencing severe or recurrent symptoms should see their doctor. A doctor will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of the symptoms and can prescribe treatments for both anxiety and hypertension, if necessary.

There are several treatment options for anxiety. Most people require a combination of treatments.

Medication

Several medicines can relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Different types of medication will work for different people. Options include:

• buspirone, an anti-anxiety drug
• certain antidepressants
• benzodiazepines, which are a type of sedative medication for short-term anxiety relief
• beta-blockers, which doctors use to treat hypertension

Psychotherapy

Working with a psychotherapist can often help people manage their anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one method that a psychotherapist is likely to try. CBT teaches people to change their thinking patterns to help them reduce anxious thoughts and worries.

Once individuals have learned techniques to manage their anxiety, they gradually expose themselves to situations that trigger the anxiety. In this manner, they become less fearful about these situations.

Lifestyle changes

Making simple changes can go a long way toward reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Examples include:

• practicing deep breathing techniques or progressive muscle relaxation
• meditating
• exercising regularly
• getting enough sleep
• eating a healthful diet and limiting caffeine intake
• avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs
• reducing stressors at home, work, and school, where possible
• facing up to problems rather than avoiding them
• replacing negative thoughts with more positive or realistic ones

Read about natural remedies for anxiety here.

Most people with hypertension will benefit from making lifestyle changes. Some people will also need medication.

Lifestyle changes

Doctors often recommend one or more of the following:

• eating a healthful diet and limiting salt intake
• avoiding tobacco and recreational drugs
• limiting alcohol intake
• exercising regularly
• achieving or maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI)

Learn about 15 natural ways to lower blood pressure here.

Medication

There are several types of medication for treating high blood pressure. These include:

• diuretics (water pills)
• calcium channel blockers
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• angiotensin II receptor blockers
• aldosterone antagonists
• renin inhibitors
• vasodilators
• alpha-blockers
• alpha-beta-blockers
• beta-blockers

The type of medication that a person needs will depend on several factors, including their general health and the severity of their hypertension. Some people may need more than one type of medication to keep their blood pressure under control.

Individuals who think that they may have anxiety, hypertension, or both should speak to a doctor. Those who have severe symptoms should seek immediate care as the symptoms could indicate a medical emergency.

Symptoms to look out for include:

Both hypertension and anxiety are highly treatable conditions. A person with anxiety will not necessarily develop hypertension.

However, seeking help as early as possible can improve the outcome for people with either condition and reduce the risk of complications.

There is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure. Sometimes, a person with anxiety will develop hypertension, especially if they regularly experience intense anxiety.

Other people may develop anxiety as a result of having high blood pressure.

Treatment for one condition can often improve the other. Individuals who suspect that they have one or both conditions should see their doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Can anxiety cause high blood pressure?

Anxiety and high blood pressure can be symptoms of each other. Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can trigger feelings of anxiety.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as feelings of worry or tension. It can cause certain physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and sweating. The APA also notes that anxiety may increase a person’s blood pressure.

Additionally, having long-term high blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause people to feel anxious about their health and future. Severe hypertension can also cause a person to experience anxiety.

Keep reading to learn more about the link between anxiety and high blood pressure, as well as how to treat both conditions.

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. A person may feel anxious before a test or when waiting for important news.

It occurs when the body releases stress hormones. These hormones trigger an increase in heart rate and a narrowing of the blood vessels. Both of these changes can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise.

A 2015 review indicates that people with intense anxiety have a higher risk of hypertension than those with lower levels of anxiety. Researchers conclude that early detection and treatment of anxiety are particularly important in people with hypertension.

Anxiety-induced increases in blood pressure are usually temporary and subside once the anxiety lessens. Regularly having high levels of anxiety, however, can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels in the same way that long-term hypertension can.

In the long term, anxiety-related hormone changes may cause increased fat deposits, particularly around the abdomen. Anxiety can also prompt behavior changes in people, such as stress eating, which may indirectly contribute to hypertension.

Additionally, some medications for anxiety can increase blood pressure. Research from 2017 found that serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which people use to treat anxiety disorders, can increase blood pressure.

Anxiety is a response to stress. Stress causes the release of hormones, such as epinephrine and cortisol. These hormones induce the “fight-or-flight” response, which prepares the body to flee or confront the perceived threat.

Fight-or-flight hormones can cause a person to experience an increase in:

• heart rate
• blood pressure
• muscular strength

Once a person has dealt with their stress, their body systems should return to normal. However, a person who has long-term stress can develop health problems, such as:

• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• weight gain
• weakened immune system
• depression
• lack of sleep
• fatigue
• inability to make decisions
• memory issues
• increase in fats in the blood

Having high blood pressure may trigger feelings of anxiety in some people. A person with hypertension may worry about their health and their future.

Additionally, the symptoms of hypertension can cause panic or anxiety. Symptoms of hypertension include:

• vision changes
• headaches
• irregular heart rhythm
• buzzing in the ears

Severe hypertension can also cause a person to experience anxiety. If a person experiences extreme anxiety alongside symptoms such as headache or shortness of breath, they should seek medical attention immediately.

It can be difficult to distinguish between anxiety and changes in blood pressure. Hypertension does not usually cause symptoms. This means it is important for a person to have a doctor check their blood pressure regularly.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that anxiety lowers a person’s blood pressure. However, having low blood pressure may cause a person to become anxious or worried.

Symptoms of low blood pressure can be similar to those of anxiety. Symptoms of both low blood pressure and anxiety include:

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• fainting
• difficulty concentrating

Learn more about fluctuating blood pressure here.

A person with low blood pressure may experience symptoms similar to those of anxiety. If a person is unsure whether their symptoms are due to anxiety or low blood pressure, they should speak with a doctor.

Additionally, people who have severe or recurrent symptoms of either should see their doctor. A doctor will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of the symptoms and can prescribe any necessary treatments.

A person who has hypertension may be given a treatment plan by their doctor. This can involve lifestyle changes, medications, or both.

Lifestyle changes

A person can make various lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure, including:

• avoiding or limiting alcohol
• reducing salt intake
• eating a heart-healthy diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains
• exercising regularly
• quitting smoking, if appropriate
• maintaining a moderate weight
• managing stress
• getting good-quality sleep

Learn about 15 natural ways to lower blood pressure here.

Medication

There are several types of medication for treating high blood pressure. These include:

• angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which prevent blood vessels from narrowing as much
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to stop blood vessels from narrowing
• calcium channel blockers, which allow blood vessels to relax
• diuretics, which remove excess water and sodium from the body
• beta-blockers

The type of medication that a person needs will depend on several factors, including their general health and the severity of their hypertension. Some people may need more than one type of medication to keep their blood pressure under control.

People who think they may have anxiety, hypertension, or both, should speak with a doctor. Those who have severe symptoms should seek immediate care, as this can indicate a medical emergency.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• fatigue
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• chest pain
• muscle tremors
• shortness of breath
• back pain
• numbness or weakness
• difficulty speaking

Both hypertension and anxiety are highly treatable conditions. A person with anxiety will not necessarily develop hypertension.

However, seeking help as early as possible can improve the outcome for people with either condition and reduce the risk of complications.

There is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure. A person with anxiety may develop hypertension, especially if they regularly experience intense anxiety.

Other people may develop anxiety as a result of high blood pressure. Treatment for one condition can often improve the other.

A person who suspects they have one or both conditions should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Blood pressure measurement

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May 26, 2015 11:53

We recommend and perform blood pressure measurement for elderly animals, animals with chronic kidney disease, diseases of the central nervous system and eyes, cardiovascular pathologies and endocrine disorders. Measuring blood pressure in small pets is very difficult and can only be done effectively with a special kit consisting of miniature cuffs and a special highly sensitive Doppler transducer that captures the slightest appearance of blood flow. The measurement of pressure is carried out repeatedly, since an error caused by the anxiety of the animal is possible. The veterinarian usually performs tonometry before examining the patient, in the middle of the appointment, and at the end. Then all readings are compared and evaluated.

Systemic arterial hypertension is an excess of arterial blood pressure taken as normal.
The maximum allowable levels of arterial systolic pressure for dogs are considered to be 180 mm Hg, for cats – 170-180 mm Hg.
The blood pressure value varies depending on the type of animal, age, physical condition and factors affecting the patient during the measurement.

Methods for measuring pressure.
There are direct and indirect methods for measuring pressure.
Direct methods include the method of measuring pressure directly by inserting a special catheter into the lumen of the vessel, this is an invasive method and can only be used in sedated animals.
Indirect methods include oscillometric method and Doppler measurement.
In oscillometry, there is a sensor in the cuff that detects cuff vibrations depending on blood pressure. This method does not always measure pressure in small animals, especially cats.
When measuring with a Doppler, a special sensor located below the cuff that compresses the vessel detects the appearance of a blood flow. The sensor is highly sensitive and allows you to accurately set the value of systolic pressure. This method is the “gold standard” for measuring blood pressure in cats.

Causes of arterial hypertension.
Arterial hypertension can be primary (this disease is widespread in humans) and secondary (that is, be the result of a disease of any internal organ or system).
The most common causes of secondary hypertension are kidney disease and endocrine disorders.
The mechanism of hypertension includes sodium and water retention, increased renin production, and activation of the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS).

Signs of arterial hypertension.
The target organs in hypertension are the eye, heart, brain, and kidney; signs of illness may include:
increased thirst and urination
blindness or other eye damage
shortness of breath
lethargy, lack of appetite,
impaired orientation, coordination and convulsions

Treatment of arterial hypertension.
Treatment of the disease should first of all be aimed at stopping the underlying cause of hypertension, as well as maintaining the level of blood pressure within the normal range with the help of special medicines selected depending on the primary disease and the condition of the animal.

6.

008.09 Catecholamines (adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine) and serotonin in the blood

Catecholamines are a group of similar hormones produced by the adrenal medulla. The main catecholamines are: dopamine, epinephrine (epinephrine) and norepinephrine. They are released into the blood in response to physical or emotional stress and are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain, promote the release of glucose and fatty acids as energy sources, dilate bronchioles and pupils. Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure, while adrenaline increases heart rate and stimulates metabolism. After completing their action, these hormones are broken down into physiologically inactive substances (homovanilic acid, normetanephrine, etc.).

Normally, catecholamines and their breakdown products are present in the body in small amounts. Their content increases significantly for a short time only under stress. However, chromaffin and other neuroendocrine tumors can cause the formation of large amounts of catecholamines, which leads to a significant increase in the levels of these hormones and their breakdown products in the blood and urine. This threatens with long-term or short-term increases in blood pressure and, accordingly, severe headaches. Other symptoms of elevated catecholamines include trembling, increased sweating, nausea, restlessness, and tingling in the extremities. In addition to catecholamines, pheochromocytomas can synthesize serotonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, and other hormones. Correspondence between the size of the tumor, the level of catecholamines in the blood and the clinical picture does not exist.

Serotonin is not a catecholamine, but also belongs to the group of biogenic amines with hormonal and neurotransmitter activity. It is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan and stored in enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract (80-95% of the total), various brain structures, mast cells of the skin, platelets and some other endocrine organs. Serotonin lowers the threshold of pain sensitivity, regulates the function of the pituitary gland, affects vascular tone, blood clotting, motility and secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Approximately 90% of chromaffin tumors are located in the adrenal glands. Most are benign and do not spread beyond the adrenal glands, although they may continue to grow. Without further treatment, as the tumor grows, over time, the manifestations of the disease sometimes become more severe. High blood pressure caused by a chromaffin tumor can lead to kidney and heart damage and even hemorrhage or heart attack.

In most cases, these tumors are removed surgically, after which the catecholamine levels are significantly reduced, and the symptoms and complications associated with the tumor alleviate or disappear altogether.

A blood test detects the amount of the hormone at the moment of taking the test, while a urine test – for the previous 24 hours.

• Children under 1 year of age should not eat for 30-40 minutes before the test.
• Children 1 to 5 years of age should not eat for 2-3 hours before the test.
• Eliminate avocados, bananas, eggplants, pineapples, plums, tomatoes, walnuts from the diet within 72 hours prior to the study.