Can High BP Cause Essential Tremors?

Posted on Mon, 5 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 5 Mar 2018 Answered on

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Could there be a correlation between high blood pressure and essential tremors? I have had essential tremors for about 5 years. No meds. I am now having high blood pressure. No meds. Could one be causing or a symptom of the others. I have not taken any meds (I do take cholesterol meds) because of all the side effects.

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

No relation between essential tremor and hypertension

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

There is no relation between essential tremor and hypertension (high blood pressure). Essential tremor is due abnormal nerve activity seen usually in old age.

Genetics play an important role in essential tremors. However, there are many people with essential tremor with no family history.

The medication used to treat essential tremor also happen to be blood pressure medication. Since you have both hypertension and essential tremor, I recommend starting on a beta blocker (propranolol) as this helps control both the conditions.

Propranolol requires a prescription, for which you have to follow up with your primary care provider.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T