Can stress cause high blood pressure?
Stress is an inevitable part of living, but not all stress is created equal. There are two kinds of stress: positive and bad. Bad stress is uncontrollable and can have severe consequences for your health. Good stress, on the other hand, is generally not harmful. In reality, it may be the driving force behind your efforts to achieve your objectives. Stress that is out of your control affects your physical and mental health. If this kind of stress goes on for weeks, months, or years, it can put your health and well-being at risk. High blood pressure is one of the conditions that’s linked to chronic (long-term) stress. When stressed, the body produces a flood of hormones. These chemicals increase heart rate and cause blood vessels to constrict. For a short period, these actions raise blood pressure. There is no evidence that stress promotes long-term high blood pressure. However, unhealthy stress reactions can raise blood pressure and increase the chance of heart attack and stroke. Behav