Relationship Between Chronic Stress And High Blood Pressure

July 03, 2023

According to the latest study findings, chronic stress has been related to high blood pressure, often known as hypertension. When individuals are stressed, their systems release stress chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline, increasing the heart rate and restricting blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressure.


Chronic work stress was linked to an increased chance of developing hypertension, according to a 2019 meta-analysis spanning three decades of data. Another 2017 study with over 22,000 individuals discovered that higher levels of felt stress were associated with an increased risk of hypertension.


People who are stressed out may engage in behaviors such as overeating, smoking, excessive alcohol use, or physical inactivity, all of which can lead to high blood pressure.

It is crucial to emphasize that not everybody subjected to prolonged stress develops elevated blood pressure; hereditary variables, lifestyle decisions, and individual susceptibility all play a role.


Stress-reduction measures such as regularly exercising, mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, adequate sleep, interaction with others, and engaging in peaceful pursuits might be beneficial.


If you are concerned about your blood pressure or the effects of stress on your health, it is best to seek personalized advice and guidance from a healthcare professional.

 Chronic stress and its symptoms:

Chronic stress is a persistent feeling of being stressed and overwhelmed over a lengthy period.

Its symptoms include aches and pains, sleepiness or weakness, diminished socialization, and unfocused thinking. Making lifestyle changes, utilizing medicines, and setting achievable objectives are all part of treatment.


Examples of Chronic Stress:

Job changes, layoffs, retirement, workplace difficulties, financial hardship, inability to provide for one's fundamental requirements, etc.


High blood pressure:

If you have hypertension, your blood is pumping through your arteries with more force than normal. The added stress on the arteries may speed the development of fatty plaques that eventually obstruct blood flow.The pressure exerted by the blood against the artery walls with each heartbeat is measured by taking a blood pressure measurement. They change when you are dehydrated, anxious, or disturbed. Lower risk, moderate risk, and high risk hypertension are the three categories of blood pressure.


Effect of Chronic Stress on Blood Pressure:

High blood pressure means blood flows through your arteries with greater power than usual. Chronic stress can significantly raise blood pressure. When a person is stressed, their body produces stress hormones, specifically adrenaline, and cortisol, which cause a cascade of physiological responses. These responses can affect the cardiovascular system, causing transient rises in blood pressure.When anxiety becomes persistent and lasts longer, it can have long-term impacts on blood pressure. Here are some examples of how persistent stress might affect blood pressure:


1. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity:

Chronic stress can over-activate the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates many involuntary body functions, including blood pressure management. Increased sympathetic activity can cause vasoconstriction (blood vessel narrowing) and increased heart rate, which may increase blood pressure.


2. Changes in hormonal balance:

prolonged tension can disturb the balance of hormones that regulate blood pressure. Extended stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which produces cortef, can cause hypertension. Furthermore, stress-related hormone imbalances in aldosterone and vasopressin might contribute to retaining water and dilation of blood vessels, respectively, raising blood pressure.


3. Unhealthy coping methods:

Stressed out individuals frequently engage in unhealthy ways to cope, such as overeating, extreme alcohol use, tobacco usage, or being inactive. These behaviors can lead to weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels, and decreased physical activity, all of which increase the risk of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.


4. Insomnia and sleep disturbances:

Chronic stress can interfere with sleep patterns, resulting in inadequate or poor-quality sleep. Sleep loss and interruptions can raise blood pressure and impair the body's capacity to manage it properly.


5. Inflammation and oxidative stress:

Prolonged stress can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to high blood pressure. Inflammatory processes can cause blood vessel damage, reduce elasticity, and promote plaque development, raising the risk of hypertension.


Chronic stress may result in long-term physiological implications. It can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing vasoconstriction and a rise in pulse rate and hypertension. Stress-induced changes in hormones may also give rise to elevated blood pressure. Unhealthy coping conduct, such as overeating, drinking excessively, and being inactive, might increase the risk even further. Chronic stress additionally leads to sleep difficulties, inflammation, and oxidative damage, all of which can affect blood pressure. Individual responses to stressful situations vary, so getting professional help for assessment and therapy is critical if you're experiencing chronic stress or have blood pressure difficulties.

Conclusions :

The latest research findings show that less felt stress had been linked with greater BP levels in a large and typical German sample, although exposure to external stressors was irrelevant to BP. These findings imply that stress perceived and external stressors influence blood pressure regulation via distinct biobehavioral processes.


Adolescent males' ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) is higher after experiencing chronic stress, as is the case with epicene adolescents. This latter association persisted even after accounting for BP in the clinic, suggesting that men may be more susceptible to chronic stress as a driver of BP regulation in their early adult years.


References:

Hassoun, L., Herrmann-Lingen, C., Hapke, U., Neuhauser, H., Scheidt-Nave, C., & Meyer, T. (2015). Association between chronic stress and blood pressure: findings from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008–2011. Psychosomatic medicine, 77(5), 575-582.

Brady, S. S., & Matthews, K. A. (2006). Chronic stress influences ambulatory blood pressure in adolescents. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 31(1), 80-88.

Gamallo, A., Alario, P., Villanua, M. A., & Nava, M. P. (1988). Effect of chronic stress in the blood pressure in the rat: ACTH administration. Hormone and metabolic research, 20(06), 336-338.

Bobrovskaya, L., Beard, D., Bondarenko, E., Beig, M. I., Jobling, P., Walker, F. R., ... & Nalivaiko, E. (2013). Does exposure to chronic stress influence blood pressure in rats?. Autonomic Neuroscience, 177(2), 217-223.

Peters, R. M. (2006). The relationship of racism, chronic stress emotions, and blood pressure. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 38(3), 234-240.

Brand, N., Hanson, E., & Godaert, G. (2000). Chronic stress affects blood pressure and speed of short-term memory. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 91(1), 291-298.

Blake, M. J., Klevay, L. M., Halas, E. S., & Bode, A. M. (1995). Blood pressure and heat shock protein expression in response to acute and chronic stress. Hypertension, 25(4), 539-544.

WRITTEN BY Checkme

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