Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Anxiety Increase BP Level?
Question: I have bad anxiety disorder and have had high blood pressure which has gone up extremely high inextremr anxious times. Last week I went to er and my bp was 162/97. And a few days ago was 160/101. They did an EKG tons of cardiac lab work a ct of the brain and chest xray. Well the last couple days I've just laid around not doing a ton. But now I'm freaking out bcuz its been from 99/71 to 120/85. How can I go from soooo high to soooo low. All my tests came back OK and they said it anxiety. I am overweight. I'm so panicky. Can anxiety cause this high pressure and now low. I take verapamil 240 in am half in pm
Brief Answer:
yes, anxiety can raise BP to this level
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Firstly-- yes, anxiety can make BP goto even much higher levels compared to your, sometimes even upto 200/120mm Hg. So, if all tests came in normal limits: means it was anxiety which shot up your BP.
Other BP readings which are in normal limits suggest that the dose of verapamil is adequate for you and effectively controlling BP. So, you should continue with the drug.
Now, another important aspect is managing anxiety in your caee. There are several drugs which are cardio safe and preffered in settings similar to yours.
If you wish I can try and help you with them. Along with drugs it will be best to learn some relaxation exercise to control high anxiety with lesser amount of medicines and get well soon.
please try to remain calm and avoid tea, coffee and any other stimulant if you use them. Even green tea should be avoided.
For acute anxiety attacks its better you take clonazepam or etizolaam 0.5mg on SOS basis. That will control anxiety and you will not have to rush to ER in panic.
Hope the reply is useful for you.
please ask more questions if you need any clarification/ discussion.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
yes, anxiety can raise BP to this level
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Firstly-- yes, anxiety can make BP goto even much higher levels compared to your, sometimes even upto 200/120mm Hg. So, if all tests came in normal limits: means it was anxiety which shot up your BP.
Other BP readings which are in normal limits suggest that the dose of verapamil is adequate for you and effectively controlling BP. So, you should continue with the drug.
Now, another important aspect is managing anxiety in your caee. There are several drugs which are cardio safe and preffered in settings similar to yours.
If you wish I can try and help you with them. Along with drugs it will be best to learn some relaxation exercise to control high anxiety with lesser amount of medicines and get well soon.
please try to remain calm and avoid tea, coffee and any other stimulant if you use them. Even green tea should be avoided.
For acute anxiety attacks its better you take clonazepam or etizolaam 0.5mg on SOS basis. That will control anxiety and you will not have to rush to ER in panic.
Hope the reply is useful for you.
please ask more questions if you need any clarification/ discussion.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you I'm in graduate school right now and I just feel like if I'm not worrying about my bp being too high I'm worrying if its too low. what would be a good medication for anxiety that won't effect my concentrating. Graduate school as you know is so hard and I don't want to be loopy. thank you again
Brief Answer:
sertraline, zolpidem with SOS etizolam
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can understand that you are anxious most of the time...the reason is anxiety disorder itself and not BP fluctuations... Anything which is of a concern will make you very anxious..so,this is what BP is doing. You are not doing it deliberately.
There are many good and non sedative molecules available to treat anxiety disorder and people are able to work or study comfortably being on them; so, dont worry that drugs will interfere in studies. You will be able to concentrate better when you will start these mdicicnes as your anxiety will be handled.
medicines like sertraline or escitalopram are good choices in someone who has comorbid high BP. I prefer sertraline first. This is usually started in a dosage of 25-50mg daily and increased after ten to 15 days by 25mg if needed. Can be taken after breakfast or lunch or dinner- fix according to your routine and comfort... The dosage can be made upto 150-175mg daily. It is hiked preffrably after 10-15 days of watching the response on previous drug dose.
The main point with the meds is that you should take more of salads and water. Take water sips every 10-15 min. And not full or half glass in a go: as this will make you go to loo and again lead to water deprevation and dry mouth.
If possible get your TSH level and vit. B12 levels done and treat them if disturbed.
I also think that you developed high BP coz of anxiety disorder only and once anxiety will be controlled your dosage of verapamil could be reduced.
for initial few days -zolpidem 5/20mg at night for sleep.
And for acute increase in anxiety - etizolam 0.5mg to 1mg SOS basis. Etizolam is non sedative and can be taken in daytime easily.
Wish you good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychaitry
sertraline, zolpidem with SOS etizolam
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can understand that you are anxious most of the time...the reason is anxiety disorder itself and not BP fluctuations... Anything which is of a concern will make you very anxious..so,this is what BP is doing. You are not doing it deliberately.
There are many good and non sedative molecules available to treat anxiety disorder and people are able to work or study comfortably being on them; so, dont worry that drugs will interfere in studies. You will be able to concentrate better when you will start these mdicicnes as your anxiety will be handled.
medicines like sertraline or escitalopram are good choices in someone who has comorbid high BP. I prefer sertraline first. This is usually started in a dosage of 25-50mg daily and increased after ten to 15 days by 25mg if needed. Can be taken after breakfast or lunch or dinner- fix according to your routine and comfort... The dosage can be made upto 150-175mg daily. It is hiked preffrably after 10-15 days of watching the response on previous drug dose.
The main point with the meds is that you should take more of salads and water. Take water sips every 10-15 min. And not full or half glass in a go: as this will make you go to loo and again lead to water deprevation and dry mouth.
If possible get your TSH level and vit. B12 levels done and treat them if disturbed.
I also think that you developed high BP coz of anxiety disorder only and once anxiety will be controlled your dosage of verapamil could be reduced.
for initial few days -zolpidem 5/20mg at night for sleep.
And for acute increase in anxiety - etizolam 0.5mg to 1mg SOS basis. Etizolam is non sedative and can be taken in daytime easily.
Wish you good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychaitry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
