Does anxiety cause high blood pressure?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Ranjith Darla

General Practitioner

MBBS
3+ Yrs

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Anxiety does't course long term high blood pressure but episode of anxiety can cause temporary spike in blood pressure

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Answered 04/07/2025

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Anxiety and Blood Pressure:
- Anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure due to stress hormones.
- It does not typically cause chronic high blood pressure.
Indirect Effects:
- Frequent anxiety may lead to habits that contribute to sustained high blood pressure, like poor diet or lack of exercise.
Recommendations:
- Manage anxiety with stress management techniques.
- Monitor blood pressure regularly.
Consultation:
- Seek advice from a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

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I've been feeling this heavy sensation in my head for the past few days, and while my blood pressure was normal before, recently it's been at 126 over 80. I'm curious, does the heavy feeling in my head mean my blood pressure is actually shooting up past 140 over 90 during those times? When I visited my doctor, my pressure was 126 over 80 and I didn't have that heavy feeling at that moment.

The feeling of heaviness in your head may not necessarily correlate with your blood pressure being above 14090. It is possible to experience symptoms like a heavy head even with a blood pressure reading of 12680. To help alleviate your symptoms, you can try taking a medication like Acetaminophen 500mg every 4-6 hours as needed for headache relief. Additionally, make sure to stay hydrated, practice relaxation techniques, and get an adequate amount of rest. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to follow up with your doctor for further evaluation.