High Blood Pressure and Anxiety -

Blood Pressure Goes Down When You Calm Down!

"I would like to know exactly what causes high blood pressure." Now that's a reasonable question, but oh boy, there's is just no nice, concise answer.

There are many variables to consider when assessing blood pressure.

They are variables, because they can change almost minute to minute. One of these shifty little devils is anxiety.

Your blood pressure rises and falls naturally throughout the day, and can be affected by stress, anxiety, exertion, alcohol and food intake, to mention a few of the easily understood causes.

How about you? Can you pinpoint anxiety as one of the underlying reasons for your high blood pressure.

For example: worry about your health or what you will learn during a medcial check up can create anxiety. Doctors are aware of this and they have named this reaction "white coat syndrome #34"

It's due to the anxiety provoking and thus blood pressure raising effect ,which the doctors themselves have on some patients.

High blood pressure never be acurately diagnosed on just one or even a few measurments. To reach a diagnosis of high blood pressure, persistently elevated readings mustbe recorded at different times of the day, on different days and under different circumstances.

Normally blood pressure tends to be lower in the evening, than it is in the morning and after exercise.

But what if your blood pressure readings are always high? The immediate cause is not as important as getting immediate treatment. High blood pressure increases your risk of damage to blood vessels, heart and kidneys.

It is important to monitor you blood pressure to see if it really is running high (or low) most of the time. You might like to investigate the possibilty of buying a do-it-yourself electronic
blood pressure monitor. They are very affordable and can be found in WalMart and other stores.

When running tests your doctor should include analysis of your urine and a blood test for kidney function, glucose level, blood fats and electrolytes (minerals in the blood). An electrocardiogram might also be called for as an additional assessment of any organ damage.

If all tests are normal, and there is no evident underlying cause for your blood pressure, a beta-blocker type of medication would be ideal for you in view of your anxiety. A beta-blocker such as InnoPran XL can effective in reducing blood pressure and at the same time would reduce any physical manifestations of anxiety such as sweaty palms, nausea, fast pulse and palpitations.

Other types of anti-hypertensive treatments include diuretics, ACE inhibitors such as captopriland others which you should discuss in some detail with your doctor before making any choice about any on-going therapy.

Captopril is an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor. ACE is an enzyme in the body which is important for the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes constriction of arteries in the body, thereby elevating blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors such as captopril lower blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II, thus relaxing the arteries. Relaxing the arteries not only lowers blood pressure, but also improves the pumping efficiency of your heart .

Now, just relax! Don't let your high blood pressure become another cause of anxiety. It is very treatable and after a conversation with your doctor you may find that you just need some lifestyle changes.

Umbilical Cord Blood Vessel >>

There's an alternative to blood pressure drugs... Click The Book!

Blood pressure and anxiety

Blood Pressure photo
Ethan Miller