High blood pressure is a popular name for the medical term hypertension and describes blood traveling through the arteries at a pressure that is consistently too high to maintain good health.
The incidence of high blood pressure normally goes hand in hand with the aging process but can happen to anyone, of any age, under the right set of circumstances.
High blood pressure is a symptom of stress and anxiety and great pains should be taken to diagnosed it accurately primarily because blood pressure in a normal person can fluctuate dramatically during the day due to such factors as increased anxiety, periods of stress, dietary missteps, smoking or secondary smoke, lack of sleep, and alcohol consumption.
To verify a case of high blood pressure/hypertension, persistent elevated readings should be recorded at different times throughout the day, on different days and in different circumstances.
Medical research tells us that acute stress and anxiety often lead to a momentary spike in blood pressure due to changes in the flow pattern of blood from the heart.
On the other hand blood pressure readings tend to be lower after a nap or a good night's sleep.
Chronic anxiety is a serious concern that can lead to prolonged hypertension.
Anxiety disorder has been linked to increased risk of hypertension which in turn increases the chances of being victimized by a heart attack, stroke, or the silent ravages of artery disease.
It might come as a surprise that approximately seventy percent of all high blood pressure problems are linked to anxiety during difficult situations or bouts of emotional stress.
Conversely, elevated levels of anxiety have been found in hypertensive subjects.
When this occurrence becomes chronic/recurrent it can lead to long term heart damage due to heart attack, kidney failure or liver failure.
Additionally, when anxiety become a frequent visitor it is easy to try to take the edge off with unhealthy habits such as drinking and smoking which can further exasperate the problem.
Hence it is essential that the treatment being administered for controlling high blood pressure also be able to provide some degree of anxiety relief.
Let's take a look at a few ideas which could prove helpful in both the battle against high blood pressure and anxiety.
* First eating regular meals, reducing sugar intake, and holding caffeine consumption to a minimum are all excellent ideas that can help you get started in the right direction.
*Second, preference should be given to foods that are natural like fruits, whole grains, flax, leafy green vegetables etc...
*Third is to set aside 30 minutes each day for moderate doctor approved exercise.
If your daily exercise is conducted outside all the better since studies show that outdoor activity, especially on sunny days, tends to reduce anxiety.
*Fourth learn diaphragm breathing techniques and use them to diffuse unexpected anxiety and panic.
*Fifth, get adequate rest since rest will relax the muscles and help relieve the buildup of anxiety and stress.
If despite your best efforts nothing seems to work you should consider consulting your doctor for additional suggestions to address your high blood pressure and anxiety.
Additionally, since most of the commonly prescribed drugs for anxiety are loaded with side effect risks it might be a good idea to evaluate the natural treatments for anxiety relief in consultation with your medical professional.
These types of medications can help you take the edge off of anxiety, thereby eliminating the root cause of your high blood pressure.