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What Causes Increase In BP Readings While Suffering From Anxiety?
Question: I used to have high BP a few years ago. I think it was mainly due to anxiety about measuring the BP (extreme anxiety for the actual test taking situation). Much stronger than ordinary white coat syndrome. Would push it up to 180/105 etc. I am on Enalapril and Amlodipine and testing at home during several years has always been the same pattern. First elevated due to fear of the machine (155/100 and similar) then, after seeing that it was not EXTREMELY high, I started to relax and got it down gradually to about 128/73. This relaxed me very much. It has been like this for several years. Now, I waited longer than usual to test and built up a stronger fear than usual. Got extreme anxiety when measuring, heart racing, dry throat, sweaty palms, nearly trembling etc. The reading was 180/120 (also with arm down the side and not at heart level, which might affect reading too?). This experience was traumatic and has now scared me from taking the BP again, even at home, because I am so extremely scared that my BP will now be "stuck" at that high level and that I am going to die. Catastrophe thoughts. Could you, as a cardiologist, calm me somehow with this? I am trying to think that since I am om the meds I mentioned, I will be well protected *EVEN* if my BP would have gone up?? IF my fears were true (hope they are not) that the medication has stopped working, would this still be treatable with just other medicines? I am so scared of heart diseases etc.
Brief Answer:
No significant reason to worry
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If a person has fear it is normal reaction of the organism to have elevated blood pressure. During fear the sympathetic activity increases which lead to increase of adrenaline level thus leading to elevated blood pressure. As it is the normal response of the organism, it is not as dangerous. You shouldn't worry.
In hypertensive patients sometimes there is a need to change the medication or dose. It doesn't mean your disease is more severe now. If you were my patient I would slightly elevate the dose of your medication Ir ad another, also I would prescribe some sedative for your fear.
But you should know there is absolute nothing to worry. I would advise you to exercise much and do some sport, which will stabilize your nervous system, and don't thing about your blood pressure, it will not cause harm
Hope I could help you
Wishing you good health
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
No significant reason to worry
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If a person has fear it is normal reaction of the organism to have elevated blood pressure. During fear the sympathetic activity increases which lead to increase of adrenaline level thus leading to elevated blood pressure. As it is the normal response of the organism, it is not as dangerous. You shouldn't worry.
In hypertensive patients sometimes there is a need to change the medication or dose. It doesn't mean your disease is more severe now. If you were my patient I would slightly elevate the dose of your medication Ir ad another, also I would prescribe some sedative for your fear.
But you should know there is absolute nothing to worry. I would advise you to exercise much and do some sport, which will stabilize your nervous system, and don't thing about your blood pressure, it will not cause harm
Hope I could help you
Wishing you good health
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have a sedative as well: citalopram
When you speak of changing meds, do you mean that if the BP was for real stable around 180/120? Because that was probably from worry
When you speak of changing meds, do you mean that if the BP was for real stable around 180/120? Because that was probably from worry
Brief Answer:
Not every measured high blood pressure is dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
It is good that you already take a sedative.
About medications, I would add a mild diuretic or beta blocker in your case if there is no contraindication.
But there is nothing to worry at all. There is no damger of your measured blood pressure.
Regards,
Not every measured high blood pressure is dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
It is good that you already take a sedative.
About medications, I would add a mild diuretic or beta blocker in your case if there is no contraindication.
But there is nothing to worry at all. There is no damger of your measured blood pressure.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I thought a dr would be worried about that level (180/120) as it is called hypertensive crisis??
Brief Answer:
If the reason is anxiety it comes to normal whem a person calms down
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If you have elevated blood pressure because you are worried it is not hypertensive crises. Your blood pressure will come to normal when you become calm, if it doesn't occur you should refer to ER.
Hope I could answer to your query.
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
If the reason is anxiety it comes to normal whem a person calms down
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If you have elevated blood pressure because you are worried it is not hypertensive crises. Your blood pressure will come to normal when you become calm, if it doesn't occur you should refer to ER.
Hope I could answer to your query.
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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