Hypertension and Stress - Discussion

What is the link between hypertension and stress?

It is unclear whether stress itself increases cardiovascular issues (such as high blood pressure) or if it simply exacerbates other factors, but it is irrefutable that stress has a negative impact upon blood pressure.

In the short term, stress causes a number of physiological reactions that increase blood pressure, and in the long term, stress can modify a person's ability to take the best care of themselves, possibly encouraging unhealthy habits such as smoking or overeating. Additionally, high levels of stress over a period of time has been proven to have biochemical effects on the body that directly link to higher blood pressure, namely elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline.

Examining the role of stress in the lives of hypertensive individuals can help to clarify ways of lowering one's stress level and manner of coping with distress so that the risk of hypertension or elevated blood pressure can be lowered.

Delving into the hypertension and stress link

In examining the relationship between hypertension and stress, we need to realize that, because stress is an element of everyday living, it is hard to pinpoint what constitutes an excessive level of stress (i.e. that which can negatively impact your health.) Stress exists in 'good' forms and 'bad' forms, in the sense that positive stress can motivate us to make good choices and strive for achievements, whereas 'bad stress,' or distress, is damaging physically and mentally.

Some of the principle signs of excessive distress levels include: dizziness, clenched jaws, teeth grinding, weight gain or loss, upset stomach, constant worry, indecisiveness, forgetfulness, anxiety, crying, depression, a negative or critical attitude, and increased use of alcohol or drugs. Although excessive stress manifests itself in a variety of ways, if when reading this, you find that a number of these symptoms are present in your life, it is quite likely that you are suffering from elevated stress levels that could potentially be harmful to your health.

Managing and Dealing with Stress

Stress cannot be avoided, but the wonderful thing about stress is that it can be managed, and it is never too late to develop new coping skills. In addition to its potential positive effect upon blood pressure, stress reduction is beneficial in a variety of ways, ranging from elevated mood and reduced need for alcohol or cigarettes to its aid in the control of overeating. Properly managing stress helps to break the hypertension and stress association.

Though there are nearly endless techniques to manage stress, there are a few that are widely used and proven to be effective. One of the best ways to reduce and control stress is through exercise; exercise increases mood and causes a release of chemicals in the brain that promote relaxation by counteracting the distress signals that cause blood pressure to go up. Indeed, exercise is one of the best ways to beat the hypertension and stress link, for it helps deal with both hypertension and stress.

Sensible eating and drinking habits are also essential in proactive management of stress, and can be instrumental in reducing high stress levels. Increasing evidence has suggested the implication of sleep in stress issues, which means that getting adequate sleep can have marked positive effects on an individual’s stress level.

Perhaps the best methods for dealing with stress are those that help to promote healthy mental processes, such as setting realistic goals and expectations, having a healthy sense of self-esteem, being assertive, and staying calm. When in a stressful situation, many experts recommend practicing "self-talk" to get perspective on the circumstances. In general, internal monitoring of the mechanisms that accompany our reactions to stress can help us to develop more positive patterns in how we react to events and circumstances.

Learning effective coping skills for stress is an essential habit for healthy living that takes work to develop. However, making a point to control and minimize stress is entirely worth the effort, as stress is something that will always be a factor in our lives. Stress has the potential to affect our health either positively or negatively - fortunately, it is within our control for us to choose how it affects us.

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