Yes, stress can cause temporary increases in blood pressure. When you experience stress or anxiety, your body's "fight or flight" response is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause your heart rate to increase and blood vessels to narrow, resulting in a rise in blood pressure.
In a situation like a panic attack, where you may experience intense feelings of fear or anxiety, your body's stress response can be quite pronounced, leading to a significant increase in blood pressure.
While stress-induced elevations in blood pressure are typically temporary, chronic or long-term stress can also have a more lasting impact on blood pressure. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to sustained higher blood pressure levels, and this, in turn, can increase the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure) over time.
It's essential to address stress and anxiety as part of managing high blood pressure or hypertension. Lifestyle changes, such as adopting stress-reduction techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, regular physical activity, and finding ways to relax and unwind, can be beneficial for both managing stress and improving blood pressure.
If your blood pressure remains consistently high even when you are not experiencing acute stress or anxiety, it's important to follow up with your doctor. They can evaluate your overall health, conduct further tests, and determine the best course of action to manage your blood pressure effectively. Depending on your situation, they may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of both to help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range.