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Can Stress Cause Increase In BP Readings?
Posted on
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
Answered on
Fri, 8 May 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello Dr.,
I am a 59 year old woman whose BP has always been 120/80 on average.
In recent days my BP varies from 140/101 to 113/70. Last check 2 hours ago 150/88.
I also feel cold, hard to keep warm.
I have had a lot of stress lately with a girlfriend living with me who is going through divorce.
She has been here 5 weeks and will probably return to her residence in 2 weeks.
Could this all be stress?
Thank you for your assistance, XXXXXXX
I am a 59 year old woman whose BP has always been 120/80 on average.
In recent days my BP varies from 140/101 to 113/70. Last check 2 hours ago 150/88.
I also feel cold, hard to keep warm.
I have had a lot of stress lately with a girlfriend living with me who is going through divorce.
She has been here 5 weeks and will probably return to her residence in 2 weeks.
Could this all be stress?
Thank you for your assistance, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
If your blood pressure has always been normal before this ,and this is a stressful period for you ,most likely the high numbers of blood pressure are due to stress.
Usually only a persistent blood pressure over 130/80 most of the time is considered hypertension and requires medication.
Your blood pressure seems to be fluctuating and this is suggestive for stress induced hypertension.
I would suggest to try to manage the stress in your life.Try to relax and think positive.
Try to eat healthy .Avoid fatty,processed foods, eat mostly green vegetables.
Try to restrict the salt intake,drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.Monitor your blood pressure and if it get's over 130/80 most of the days ,you may need to start a treatment.
If you start to experience symptoms such as fatigue, feeling tired all the time,with no energy, weight gain and cold intolerance ,then you may need to test your thyroid function because you might have underactive thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism can also cause high blood pressure.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help or any clarification.I would be happy to answer.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
If your blood pressure has always been normal before this ,and this is a stressful period for you ,most likely the high numbers of blood pressure are due to stress.
Usually only a persistent blood pressure over 130/80 most of the time is considered hypertension and requires medication.
Your blood pressure seems to be fluctuating and this is suggestive for stress induced hypertension.
I would suggest to try to manage the stress in your life.Try to relax and think positive.
Try to eat healthy .Avoid fatty,processed foods, eat mostly green vegetables.
Try to restrict the salt intake,drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.Monitor your blood pressure and if it get's over 130/80 most of the days ,you may need to start a treatment.
If you start to experience symptoms such as fatigue, feeling tired all the time,with no energy, weight gain and cold intolerance ,then you may need to test your thyroid function because you might have underactive thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism can also cause high blood pressure.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help or any clarification.I would be happy to answer.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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