Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in your blood pressure.
If those temporary spikes occur frequently, such as every day, they can cause damage to your blood vessels, heart and kidneys, as can chronic high blood pressure. In addition, when you have anxiety you're more likely to resort to other unhealthy habits that can increase your blood pressure, such as:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Overeating
Some medications to treat anxiety and other mental health conditions, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can also increase your blood pressure.
If you have trouble controlling your anxiety or if anxiety interferes with daily activities, talk to your doctor or a mental health provider to find an appropriate treatment.
Show References
- Managing stress to control high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Stress-and-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301883_Article.jsp#.WH5RDWczVjo. Accessed Jan. 17, 2017.
- Baldwin D. Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 17, 2017.
- Byrd JB, et al. Anxiety in the "Age of Hypertension." Current Hypertension Reports. 2014;16:486.
- Pan Y, et al. Association between anxiety and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2015;11:1121.
- Nelson C. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Pharmacology, administration, and side effects. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 17, 2017.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/anxiety/faq-20058549