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.

Behaviors linked to higher blood pressure include:

• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• Eating unhealthy foods
• Eating too much
• Not moving enough

Heart disease also might be linked to certain health conditions related to stress, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Being cut off from friends and family

There is no evidence that these conditions are related to high blood pressure. However, the hormones produced by the body when under emotional duress may cause artery damage. The artery damage could result in heart illness. Furthermore, depression and anxiety symptoms may cause some people to neglect to take medications to control high blood pressure or other heart conditions.

Stress can cause a significant increase in blood pressure. When the tension is removed, blood pressure returns to normal. Short spikes in blood pressure, on the other hand, can cause heart attacks or strokes, as well as long-term harm to blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys.