... pressure until I started having anxiety and panic attacks
Panic Disorder - Does anyone have high blood pressure from anxiety? I always had normal blood?
Question posted by Bailey666 on 30 Jan 2014
Last updated on 4 December 2020
45 Answers Page 2
Bailey, High I'm Irish. Yes I did. They put me on blood pressure meds, they wanted me on it so I would not have it. It's fine now
Yes. Panic Disorder and GAD are known to cause high blood pressure. Especially GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) as the person is in a constant worry, panic, etc. I am 20 now, but since age 11 have been on Klonopin 1mg (90 count) , Lisinopril 20mg, Xanax 1mg (90 count) and clonidine for my PTSD, Panic Disorder, GAD, and high blood pressure.
I have suffered from severe panic and anxiety pretty much all my life and I'm now 73. I can only tell you that, while I have fewer attacks with age, I do have them. And my BP definitely goes up when I'm stressed, worried, angry or scared, all things that happen in a panic attack.
Just today I had a pain in my chest area and it scared me. When I got up, it went away but by then, the panic and fear had set in. I took my BP and it had spiked and has stayed up all afternoon, although returning to a fairly good level after taking a Valium and doing some relaxation activities that I have learned through the years work to lower BP and help with the anxiety.
My cardiologist once told me "never" to take my BP when I'm anxious or stressed or have any of these issues going on. And, he added, if you take it and it's high, don't take it again because it will only get higher as your anxiety increases. I find that good advice even though I sometimes unfortunately don't follow it and then am sorry I didn't.
In most cases. BP will return to normal in a reasonable amount of time. And it's good to have some relaxation methods available to quickly get yourself back to a good place.
As others have said here, everyone will see BP fluctuate from minute to minute and from arm to arm. That's normal. It simply does not stay the same. But worrying about it and constantly monitoring it, unless a doctor has advised you to do so, of course, is usually only going to make it go higher as we get more anxious and fearful.
Hi Bailey,
Definately!
Think of a phrase you learned back in school:
FIGHT OR FLIGHT !!!
Your body is in heightened state of alert. Your body is compensating.
It was brought up by someone about sleep apnea. Many people don't know they have it. It could be the root of your panic attacks as well as being sleep deprived. Sleep apnea also is associated with weight gain. Increase in body weight contributes to high blood pressure.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes
:-)
Try sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea. Many many people lowered BP and a level of anxiety by using CPAP.
How can all these BP numbers be over 220??? I've never heard of numbers so high. Omg..
apparently it's a cause for me since I've gotten older.
Panic attacks occur as a result of weak mind and body!! Exersise well, eat healthy, drink lot f water so that our blood vessels expand. Do yoga everyday, focus more on breathing exersises. Try gooseberry, garlic, beets and dates. Think clean. Dont do any activites that elevates your blood pressure! Build up a strong mind. Read good thoughts, love all and avoid anger. Anger is a key cause of hypertension. Frequent anger damages the body. Indulge in good activities. Go for long trips. Never be alone. Always communicate with friends. Dont worry about things. Train your mind to control emotions.avoid stress . Be active everytime. Have a good sleep. And always be hydrated. And try not to read more on hypertension. That itself can cause you panic. Above all try ayurveda. I hope you can completely cure hypertension with those powerful herbs. Although it may take sometime to get activated, the results will be astonishing. Above all believe in yourself and and think positive.
Its you who controls your body. Do yoga. The start will be difficult. But trust me once u get into the flow, u will never want to return.
Congratulations, Peaceinfinity: Although I thoroughly DISAGREE with your FIRST sentence, this is good advice for the long haul. There are also many physical reasons, or chemical imbalance in the brain, that can be the cause of panic attacks and the negative mind/body responses to them. But, many people suffering from panic attacks, anxiety/depression need to be medicated, initially, (some long-term), to be pulled out of the doldrums. It is such a helpless feeling, sometimes a person is not in a normal place in their energy and motivation to follow your positive suggestions. In the meantime, there are medications that the doctor can treat this problem with, from BP meds, to benzos initially, combined with one of the excellent SSRIs or SNRIs or NDRis that are available nowadays to treat this condition. As for your post, this will be good to file away for the day that a person feels ready to follow your treatment. Natural is a good treatment.
In my case, I can follow your suggestions much better when I combine them with my current medications. Thank you and I am glad you are doing so well!
Okay, so let's summarize your post. You say: "Panic attacks occur as a result of weak mind and body! ... Dont worry about things. Train your mind to control emotions.avoid stress."
First of all, your post is insulting. People who endure panic attacks and/or anxiety do not, I repeat, DO NOT, have a weak mind or body.
I feel my BP rising just from reading and responding to this post! :)
I know in my heart and soul that those of this with this condition are just as strong as anyone else. We are just as likely to be the "heroes" when you call 911, when an accident happens, a suicidal friend reaches out ... whatever.
I am 60 yrs old and have dealt with anxiety and occasional panic my entire life. I have resisted meds, I have taken them, I have - and continue - to debate/question their effectiveness, etc.
But, this much I know: Anxiety and panic do not define me. And, please ... if anyone is reading about this for the first time, I beg of you not to view your feelings as a sign of weakness. Yes, it can feel that way. I know that. But, really, it is a part of being human. Some put on a brave front. Others do not. And, then there are those "in between." That's what it amounts to, I think. Most of us "muddle through." And, believe me ... there is no shame in that.
Amen, I totally agree!
I have more of a question then a response. I've always suffered from anxiety and take medicine to keep it in check Celexa 20MG , Busparion and now Prozac 20MG. My blood pressure has been rising over the past 5 years and most recently was 220/180 in the ER -- they increased my Valsartan from 160mgs to 320 mgs changed me from Celexa to Prozac add Clonidine .3 mg two times a day.. the heaviness in my chest is better but still their during the day. I've had EKG's, stress tests, etc. any suggestions the Clonidine is making me feel like a zombie.
I have that problem. My blood pressure used to always be in normal range. I have told my doctor that ever since I started having anxiety attacks, I have developed "white coat syndrome". Every time I see the blood pressure cuff, my blood pressure goes way up. So my doctor tries to talk me into taking blood pressure medication, but I am not taking it yet. My blood pressure only goes up during periods of anxiety.
Good one, G ...
White Coat Syndrome !
Lol :-)
Hiya Windchimes! I know this post is old, but this is a definition given in the dictionary - really!
"Hypertension, more commonly known as White Coat Syndrome, is a phenomenon in which patients exhibit a blood pressure level above the normal range, in a clinical setting, though they don't exhibit it in other settings.[1] It is believed that the phenomenon is due to anxiety that those afflicted experience during a clinic visit.[2]" G :-)
Yes anxiety and panic attacks can raise your blood pressure significantly and so can stress,which usually causes anxiety attacks. Mine goes up and down from130 over 78 to 179 over 103 at times
Yes!!! Sons dad triggered hypertension in 2003 when my BP was never over 111/71-72. Residing with him was hell, when I had no where else to go. Had hypertension since then. However average was 130s/78-84, except in dr office (white coat syndrome) went to 150/90. Been on Atenolol for years. I recently married someone I'd loved for 50?years , after being divorced and on my own 44 years,and then: moved from calif to So. Az in lovely home but desert and thorns; I HATE it here; could not get used to sleeping with someone and added stress began with nights wide awake. Suffer with neck/back pains from falls/auto accidents. Discovered husband has entered early dementia and loses some precious items I've had since MY kids were toddlers. He has no drive but snacks and naps most of day--never gains weight or needs any meds.Had a precious parakeet that had a stoke at 3.5 years old. Have yearned for a German Shep since last one in 2000.
I grieve my pet and BP has now been up in 170-180s/95 and spikes more at night. I'm stressed and have become anxious at even trying a recipe. Been Taking multiple natural supplements and nothing working. I'm now in fear of a stroke or heart attack. And sad to say i pray fervently and am disappointed God seems deaf to my pleas
God hears you you have to listen to your body. It will tell you if you need to relax. Take a shower, meditation and mini naps half hour to a hour around 1 or 2 pm no later.
Hope this helps.
Like I was saying if you are having anxiety issues.. Dont check your Blood pressure. I mean if its not normal for you to have panic attacks and you start having them out of the blue maybe go see a dr.. But your BP is going to be high. When you have an anxiety attack it releases adrenaline in your blood stream and its a perfectly normal response physiologically to have high BP when that happens. I have had panic attacks my whole life and I have had HIGH HIGH BP when I check it like 220 /150 maybe even higher with use of like 180-190.. Thats probably the worst one that I have ever had though.. And im here and living life.. I just know not to check it and that I will be fine.. Jus sit down .. I know its hard and try to watch tv and focus on it... When you have sex or exercise your BLOOD PRESSURE NATURALLy RISE..Maybe even higher than that who knows everyone is different.
Thats why on the BP machines and at the dr office they tell you to sit quietly for 15 minutes and be fully relaxed to get an accurate reading. If you are having Anxiety attacks all day everyday maybe you need to get on Metatopeol or something like that which is a beta Blocker. Which will stop the adrenaline from getting to your heart and causing that response.. I know its hard and sometimes us people with anxiety can't focus on anything but feeling normal and being normal but constantly worrying and taking your BP isn't going to change anything its going to make it worse.. Dont take it or think about it for a month and then try when you are relaxed. I would bet my soul its normal.. for most people.. And if its not as long as you aren't constantly over 160-170 100 -120 you aren't going to die any time soon from that it takes years and years..I hope someone sees this and it helps them out. I feel for you guys i really do.. Another thing I have noticed from years of anxiety is that valium xanxax clonazpeam. all that stuff can make things worse afterwords. I feel like the more bento i take the harder and worst the panic attacks are afterwords.just relax enjoy life.
Yes , I do my BP goes up when I have anxiety and I can feel it because I get a headache and my feet begin to tingle , My doctor told me to get a bp monitor, but for me it makes me worried when I see my numbers go up so then I cause my anxiety to go up getting some kind of benzo really helps to control your self ..one thing I hate is when I go to the doc office and they have there BP monitor machine there and the nurse there just pushes a button and bam that machine squeezes my arm so much it triggers my anxiety so I tell her no more and I do my own at home checking it twice thru out the day is enough no more than that and seeing a doctor who specialize in anxiety /Panic is super helpful ..I have had panic attacks before and anxiety but never this bad I am now dealing with this and taking klonopin benzo try mediation. Yoga .walks and no salt intake in your meals .Hope this helps .Keep your mind busy ...
I know how you feel I thought it was me but at least I realize there really is something called white coat snydrom.I take my pressure in the morning before work and at night usually I'm at 117\70\65 today I go to the doctor the minute I'm sitting in the waiting room I feel my face get red and I start looking at my fit bit to see how high my pulse is then the minute I hear the cuff inflate I go full blown anxiety dizzy slight headache and it goes up to 170\94 I have gotten to a point now that the day I go to the doctors I take a video of my self with my phone taking my pressure lol my doctor Probbly thinks I'm nuts but it takes a day or so too come down after going home from doctors I take a half pressure pill and a 0.5 mg xanax .so guys your not alone..thanks for the insight.
I feel the same way, a couple weeks ago I tried to donate plasma. I hadn't donated for a year and I was feeling anxious about it. They always screen you and take your pulse and blood pressure before you are able to donate, making sure everything is normal. If you go over a certain number they give you a referral and you cannot donate that day. I was having an anxiety attack at the same time she took my blood pressure and it was so high! I have never had blood pressure problems before. Then yesterday I had to visit the doctor for an ear problem and when she took my blood pressure my heart was racing, I couldn't think straight, light headed, as much as I tried to calm myself down I couldn't. I was having another attack and my blood pressure was high again. Pulse 120. After it was all over I could feel my senses coming back... And I knew if she took it when I was calm like this it would have been different. It was embarrassing.
I am a little overweight but I have never had blood pressure problems before. When I got home and I was relaxed again I took my own blood pressure and it was within normal ranges.
So I definitely agree that anxiety can cause a sudden spike and change in blood pressure.
i struggle to get relaxed even at home now. After awhile it becomes an obsession, no matter how hard you try to tell yourself you're safe/OK when taking it, the damn cuff inflates and off you go. They need to come up with a non-invasive way of measuring your BP. The Docs excoriate these new smartphone apps that measure it saying its not reliable. Maybe it isnt, but the Makers wont divulge their process, so its voodoo to the medical community. Maybe its not perfected, but i tried it, and it was normal. I was totally calm because there is none of that alarming inflating cuff noise, esp the dreaded re-inflate where you know its probably real high. Doctors and Nurses, etc need to own up to this problem or just layoff measuring it for every conceivable thing you go to the Doctor for. People dont go to the doctors office or Urgent Care (generally) for high BP. high BP doesnt have symptoms unless its extremely high like over 250 or something, dizziness, etc.
But they check your BP before treating you regardless if you have wax in your ear, stubbed your toe, have an eye exam, or need a filling from Dentist
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high blood pressure, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, blood disorders, blood pressure, disorder, blood, pressure
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