Anxiety and My Physical Health

Adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol are released when we experience anxiety.

All three of these hormones can cause a change in blood pressure and heart rate.

When experiencing anxiousness, the body prepares itself to enter into fight-or-flight mode. As a result of this process, physiological changes include an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and faster breathing.

These changes are temporary. Once the moment passes, your heart rate and blood pressure settle back down.

Yes. Anxiety doesn’t always show up as a racing heart. For some people it’s a knot in the stomach, tight shoulders, a busy mind or a constant sense that something isn’t right.

So if your heart rate is normal but you still feel anxious, you’re not imagining it.

This is one of the biggest fears people bring to me, and I understand it. When your heart is pounding, it’s hard to believe it isn’t in danger.

A panic attack is frightening, but your heart is built to speed up and slow down. That racing feeling is your body’s alarm system, not your heart failing.

Long-term, unmanaged stress can play a part in heart health, which is one more good reason to deal with anxiety rather than just live with it.

If you ever have chest pain and aren’t sure what it is, get it checked. Ruling things out is one of the kindest things you can do for an anxious mind.

The cause of anxiety in humans is a combination of environmental and genetic factors. It’s believed that genetics loads the gun, and the environment pulls the trigger.

When people are under extreme stress or pressure, they have a greater chance to respond with an exaggerated fight-or-flight response which can lead to health problems like high blood pressure.

Feeling nervous can push your blood pressure up for a short time. That’s normal, and it’s one reason some people get a higher reading at the doctor’s surgery.

Ongoing high blood pressure is different, and it’s worth getting checked. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes such as eating healthier foods and getting more physical activity, along with medication if necessary.

With these adjustments, I can also help you get to the root cause of your problem.

To say that anxiety categorically can directly cause strokes would be a very heavy-handed way of going about things.

Anxiety can cause high blood pressure. People who have uncontrolled high blood pressure are at a greater risk of having a stroke than people with less dangerous blood pressure levels.

I need to clarify that simply suffering from anxiety does not predispose you to a higher risk of strokes.

If you believe you have high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor.

Some people experience anxiety on the job, and it’s possible that anxiety can lead to higher blood pressure at work.

Anxiety in any setting will have an impact on your mental health, mood, and blood pressure.

You will know your situation far more intimately than anyone else. But it is worth noting, especially in this ‘post-ish’ covid world that employers are far more aware and understanding of mental health.

Having a private conversation with your employer about your anxiety can help them take steps to avoid exacerbating the problem and reduce some of the worries you feel when thinking about how you will be treated at work if an attack takes place.

It is vital that those with anxiety not react to anxiety symptoms by avoiding activities. This may lead to increased anxiety and emotional stress down the line.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure:

• Cut down on salt and eat a well-balanced diet.
• Reduce your alcohol intake.
• Build a simple exercise routine. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than going for a walk.
• Reduce your caffeine intake.
• Cut down and try to stop smoking.

If you get a very high blood pressure reading along with symptoms like chest pain, a severe headache, changes in your vision or confusion, call 999.

If you’re not sure how serious it is, call NHS 24 on 111 for advice.

If your doctor has prescribed blood pressure medication, follow their instructions.

While you wait, try to stay calm and focus on your breathing. Take a slow breath in, hold it for a few seconds, then let it go.

When it comes to preventing and treating high blood pressure, one often-overlooked strategy is managing stress.

• Get plenty of sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.
• Learn relaxation techniques. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful relaxation techniques and stress-busters.
• Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organisation, or participating in a support group.
• Hone your time-management skills. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level.
• Try to resolve stressful situations if you can. Don’t let stressful situations fester.
• Nurture yourself. Treat yourself to a massage. Truly savour an experience: for example, eat slowly and really focus on the taste and sensations of each bite. Take a walk or a nap, or listen to your favourite music.
• Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, friends, and neighbours. If stress and anxiety persist, talk to your doctor.

There are several different strategies you can employ.

One strategy is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) therapy.

NLP is a type of psychotherapy that helps people change their thoughts and behaviours to improve their mental health.

NLP is an effective way to manage anxiety because it teaches you how to identify and change the negative thoughts that lead you into anxiety-producing situations.

This form of therapy also encourages you to take control over your life by changing habits or behaviours that may contribute to anxiety symptoms.

It does depend on individual circumstances. Anxiety can make life unbearable, so the sooner you get started, the sooner things can start to change.

I don’t believe in keeping people in therapy longer than they need to be. We’ll work out what works best for you and fit it around your life.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out with a free 20 minute consultation.

If you want a thorough walkthrough of the different types of medication available, check out our guide. Please never start, stop or change medication without speaking to your GP.