• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
emtspot logo

TheEMTSpot

Your Blood Pressure Specialist

  • Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Chart
    • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
      • Symptoms
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis And Tests
      • Treatment
      • Prevention
    • Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
    • How To Check Blood Pressure
    • How To Lower Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Medications
  • Readings
    • Severe Hypotension
    • Hypotension
    • Normal BP
    • Pre-Hypertension
    • Stage 1 Hypertension
    • Stage 2 Hypertension
    • Hypertensive Crisis
  • Supplements
    • Best Blood Pressure Supplements
    • Blood Pressure Support Review
    • Blood Pressure Optimizer Review
    • Corsanum Review
  • Monitors
    • Best Blood Pressure Monitors
    • Oxiline Pressure X Pro Review
    • CheckMe BP2 Review
    • QardioArm Review
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Videos
  • News
  • Search
Home » Blood Pressure

Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc
Last update: March 23, 2023

Although anxiety is not a leading cause of high blood pressure, there is a strong link between the two. Discover the connection between your symptoms in this article.

anxiety and hypertension

Quick Summary

  • Anxiety attacks temporarily raise blood pressure; however, this seldom develops into a chronic condition.
  • Regular spikes in blood pressure or anxiety-related coping mechanisms contribute significantly to long-term hypertension due to vascular damage.
  • Specific anxiety medication also raises blood pressure, but lifestyle management can significantly help reduce risks.

Many people wonder, “can anxiety cause high blood pressure?” After all, your heart rate and blood pressure increase temporarily when you feel upset, stressed, or anxious.

Although there is a connection between hypertension and anxiety, the belief that one can lead to the other is not as simple to explain. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the complex interaction between the two.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports approximately 40 million adults in the USA alone to suffer from anxiety disorders. A rise in blood pressure is just one of several physiological symptoms that anxiety can have on your body.

In this article, we’ll look at the relationship between anxiety and high blood pressure, possible treatment options, and more.

In this article hide
1. So, Does Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?
1.1. Are you in the clear?
1.2. The effect of anxiety medication on blood pressure
2. But, Can Blood Pressure Cause Anxiety?
3. In Short

So, Does Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?

Chronic hypertension is a significant health risk that can damage various body parts. However, while anxiety and panic attacks can temporarily increase blood pressure, there is insufficient evidence that anxiety disorders cause long-term hypertension.

The problem is there are no obvious physical signs of high blood pressure. Instead, the symptoms connected with hypertension are also associated with rapid blood pressure and pulse bursts brought on by anxiety.

These might include:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Racing heartbeat

When anxiety levels are at their peak, all of these symptoms become more noticeable. These are also indicators of hyperventilation, which frequently occurs with anxiety and panic episodes.

Therefore, while your hypertension may be causing some of these symptoms, it is doubtful, and high blood pressure merely follows anxiety.

Are you in the clear?

Despite the lack of research, it is not to say you are in the clear from further investigation. It is crucial to remember anxiety attacks can cause rapid increases in blood pressure, especially when you haven’t had an episode for a while.

A high blood reading on the blood pressure chart is usually harmless. But it can pose a health risk if left untreated.

When anxiety-induced blood pressure spikes occur frequently, it strains your heart and kidneys, damaging blood vessels.

There are various lifestyle changes and supplements that can help lower blood pressure. Likewise, anxiety’s long-term effects may impact blood pressure in the long run, but it is hard to differentiate them from those caused by genetics or nutrition factors.

Another way anxiety might contribute to hypertension is through poor coping mechanisms. Experts suggest:

“Because patients find it difficult to comply with lifestyle modifications (often because of a decreased understanding of the changes required), adherence to medication regimens may be less of a limiting factor than doctors believe.”

These include lifestyle choices that increase blood pressure, like smoking, vaping, drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, eating junk food, lack of exercise, and sleep deprivation. These are all contradictory to the requirements for lowering blood pressure.

Monitoring blood pressure and mental health is essential. Furthermore, remember anxiety is not the root cause of hypertension in all cases.

The effect of anxiety medication on blood pressure

Some anxiety drugs can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Examples include:

  • SNRIs (Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake inhibitors)
  • MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
  • NDRIs (Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake inhibitors

A meta-analysis revealed that while SSRIs (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) do not affect blood pressure, SNRIs raise it slightly.

Your doctor will regularly check your blood pressure after prescribing medication from the list above for any notable changes. But, many options like selective SSRIs, beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines like Xanax are safe.

Remember that you have options like maintaining a healthy diet, deep breathing, simplifying your daily routine, and exercising to reduce anxiety levels.

But, Can Blood Pressure Cause Anxiety?

Any pre-existing, chronic condition like heart disease or high blood pressure contributes to anxiety and vice versa.

According to (NIMH) National Institute of Mental Health, patients with any long-term illness have a higher tendency to have mental health problems like anxiety.

Another study suggests that up to 51% of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension suffer from panic or anxiety episodes. Most of these cases go undiagnosed and untreated.

On the contrary, anxiety is a rare side-effect of most blood pressure drugs. Clonidine and beta blockers are effective blood pressure medications in treating anxiety.

In Short

There is not enough proof that anxiety causes hypertension; nonetheless, there is a known link between the two, as anxiety produces short-term rises in blood pressure. Anxiety can also harm overall health due to frequent increases in pressure and heart rate.

If you are concerned about your mental and physical health, your doctor can help determine a safe treatment plan that works for you. You can also refer to some of our tips and tricks to lower blood pressure that also reduces stress effectively.

References

“Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

Pan, Y. et al. “Association between anxiety and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 11 (2015): 1121-1130. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411016/

“Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Recognizing and Treating Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health (2021) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health

Bussotti, M. and Sommaruga, M. “Anxiety and depression in patients with pulmonary hypertension: impact and management challenges.” Vascular Health and Risk Management 14 (2018): 349-360. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6231438/

Rahman, Abdul, R. A. et al. “Perception of hypertension management by patients and doctors in Asia: potential to improve blood pressure control.” Asia Pacific Family Medicine 14 (2015). https://apfmj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12930-015-0018-3

Zhong, Z. et al. “A meta-analysis of effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on blood pressure in depression treatment: outcomes from placebo and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor controlled trials.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 13 (2017): 2781-2796. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683798/

“Heart Disease and Mental Health Disorders.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/mentalhealth.htm

Claim A FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

About Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman is a Structural Heart Specialist, Interventional Cardiologist and Scientist. He has more than a decade of experience in treating heart related desease, as well as authoring and reviewing health and wellness-related content. Currently work for a St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

You May Also Like

hypertension and brain health
Can Hypertension In Youth May Impact Brain Health Later In Life?
flaxseeds lower blood pressure
Flaxseeds: A Heart-Healthy Addition For Lower Blood Pressure
high blood pressure diet
High Blood Pressure Diet: DASH Diet, Foods to Avoid, and More
flying with high blood pressure
Flying With High Blood Pressure: Risks, Tips, And More

You May Also Like

hypertension and brain health
Can Hypertension In Youth May Impact Brain Health Later In Life?
flaxseeds lower blood pressure
Flaxseeds: A Heart-Healthy Addition For Lower Blood Pressure
high blood pressure diet
High Blood Pressure Diet: DASH Diet, Foods to Avoid, and More
flying with high blood pressure
Flying With High Blood Pressure: Risks, Tips, And More

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Footer

Categories

  • Blood Pressure
  • Readings
  • Monitors
  • Supplements
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • News

Site Navigation

  • EMT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Useful Links

  • Advertize With Us
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Affiliate Disclosure

emtspot logo

Heart care is a top priority in today’s medical world, and TheEMTSpot will be your one-stop solution for all queries you have. Dive in now!

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · TheEMTSpot.com

Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc

robin backlundRobin Backlund is a dedicated journalist and a medical student who has written several articles and essays exposing the falseness and hollowness of online resources in the medical science niche.

Note:

All TheEMTSpot’s content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure that it is as accurate as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to other reputable media sites, educational institutions, and, whenever possible, peer-reviewed studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact us.

x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!