Anxiety disorder - Does anyone have high blood pressure from anxiety?

[jackf4]

after having panic attacks, i think i also developed the "white coat syndrome". Everytime i go to my doctor's office my bp reading is always high(140-190/80-100). I feel very nervous when i see a BP reader i hear my heart pump so fast! dont know what's wrong with me.

[Aazz]

I've always had low blood pressure, once I went to the doc I was in a state of panic and my blood pressure for the first time ever was high! So I definitely think when you panic your blood pressure can go up. I also had a temp as well at that doctor visit but only during that state of panic.

[jackf4 in reply to Aazz]

glad to know im not alone

and yes even im trying to relax myself, still i cant calm.once the nurse came to check bp my heart papitates so fast!i feel very nervous,so the result is always high.its really confusing, i didn't take my bp meds since my bp went high only in the clinic.

[menagerie11 in reply to jackf4]

I've always had low blood pressure but a few months ago it got high. Anxiety definitely contributes to increases in blood pressure. Also, blood pressure varies a lot during a typical day for most people. Have you tried taking your blood pressure at home? I check mine, and it varies throughout the day and evening. High in the morning, and normal in the evening.

[jackf4 in reply to menagerie11]

yes my doc gave me 24hr bp monitoring. but everytime the machine starting to take my bp im always anxious i don't know why. only when im relaxed and sleeping my bp goes to normal (110/80 - 120/90).

[menagerie11]

Many people are anxious about their blood pressure. It sounds like yours is perfect. Try to tell yourself that and do calm breathing when you get anxious about it.

[jackf4 in reply to menagerie11]

menagerie11 thanks! last month i had lots of medical test -ecg,xray,utrasound,blood tests and everything is normal.even my doctor dont know what's the cause of my high bp, he always tell me that i'm highblood, im going to stroke blah blah that makes me more anxious! maybe that is the cause why i had episodes of panic attacks last month because of overthinking. so i dont take my bp meds, but try with herbal drinks that mom gave me. now i learned about white coat syndrome and anxiety,hopefully it will help me to think more positive thoughts!

[menagerie11]

If your doctor gave you meds for high bp maybe you should take them. I am on a med for the same thing and there are no side effects.

[Agora1]

jackf4, It is a very common fear we all have. We anticipate a horrific diagnosis when going to the doctor which automatically make the blood pressure go up. Sometimes, doctors will have the nurse take the first reading and then the doctor himself will re-take it after he has been with you a while. The drop in pressure is significant for him to know it was anxiety causing the higher reading and not a medical issue. Your doctor may recommend you do a reading at home so he can see the difference when in a more relaxed state.

Learn to do deep breathing properly which will help you when waiting in the doctor's office and which will calm your nerves down enough to give you a lower reading. It takes practice but once you are familiar with how to automatically deep breathe, you will notice the difference (and so will your doctor)

[jackf4 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks for the advise it's really hard to relax when im in my doctor's office i dnt know why.i do deep breath the relax,but when the nurse come to take my bp.my heart beating so fast! It's frustrating, i hav episodes of panic attacks maybe bcuz of that i developed "white coat syndrome".everyday i feel like im on the boat/swaying/rocking sensations.and when i think of it,it become worst.i feel like im fainting. I dont know what's​ happening to me

[Agora1 in reply to jackf4]

jackf4, anxiety at it's finest is what's happening to you. I've been there, still feel it some when in the doctor's office but at least I'm off the swaying/rocking boat. That no longer happens. And one day it won't happen to you either. The answer to these sensations is accepting that it is anxiety, it is not harmful and it will go away. As you practice at home and learn all you can about anxiety and the affect it has on your body because of your mind, it will lessen.

As long as we fear the thoughts our mind throws at us, the stronger the bodily symptoms will be. If one symptom doesn't scare you, the mind will throw another one your way until you become so bewildered by what is happening to you.

It's a mind game, nothing more, nothing less. Each one of us possesses the power to overcome these fears. Once you accept anxiety as nothing but a bully you will kick it to the curb and become your own person again. Believe that it will happen. You are not alone, many people on this forum have won over anxiety. You will too

[jackf4 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you agora I think anxiety is heridetary bcuz i have 2 cousins that were diagnose with anxiety disorder.also my mom told me when she was young she also experience dizziness also i have 2 other cousins suffering from dizziness but they have no idea if it's anxiety.

I never been to a phyciatrist so im not really sure if it is anxiety.but based on searching and reading posts in this forum.i found out the symptoms they had were the same with me

[Agora1 in reply to jackf4]

It's true jackf4, that high b/p is hereditary both my parents had it as well as my sister. However it wasn't until I was diagnosed with Anxiety did I start to experience higher readings. Learning about meditation and deep breathing (which I do every day) has helped the readings to be normal even when in a doctor's office. Eating salty foods plays for me a bigger part of the numbers going up.

As important as it is to keep blood pressure under control, you also don't want to be put on medication if the readings are normal most of the time at home. Your doctor is the best advisor on that.

[jackf4 in reply to Agora1]

My cousins have anxiety but they were lowblood.different with me my bp went high when im anxious.but yes you're​ right I'll try the meditation and breathing exercise

[lady_peaseblossom]

I have white coat syndrome as well! The first doctor I went to diagnosed me with hypertension, but the next doctor who is now my GP had the presence of mind to take my blood pressure twice-- once at the beginning of the visit and once at the end. Is it possible for you to ask the doctor at your clinic if s/he can do the same thing? If nothing else it'll alleviate your fear that you have high blood pressure.

[jackf4 in reply to lady_peaseblossom]

Sometimes i afraid to come back due to my bp readings.its embarrassing since im jus 24yrs old. Also my medical tests are all normal (ecg,xray,ultrasound,blood test) only my bp is abnormal due to white coat syndrome..

[NemoAbella]

Me me me!!! 😟 I am 28, when I am on my panic mode before or anxious my BP went to 160/110. When I started taking meds and can be able to sleep, it went normal. Hope you are gonna be okay soon. Sleep well, less sleep or no sleep are the number cause of Hypertension. God Bless

[jackf4 in reply to NemoAbella]

which meds do u take?im always lack of sleep, i should change my lifestyle.your bp is ok now? thanks for the comment

[NemoAbella in reply to jackf4]

I have GAD and depression so I am taking Serotia Anti-Psychotic 50mg (For sleep and to be calm) then Jovia 10mg Anti-depressant. I got usually 115/70-120/80 or worst 130/90 How are you? Hope you are okay

[NemoAbella in reply to jackf4]

Yes sir! Try to get enough sleep I'm sure you'll be okay and ow ow ow, I went cold turkey (from smoking 1 pack a day) That is why I know you can change your lifestyle I

[Jmerrick22]

Jack, this sounds just like me about two years ago. It’s just anxiety, it made mine fluctuate but it eventually got better. Anxiety is just basically stress and when your on overload that’s what happens. You’ll be fine. I promise

[jackf4 in reply to Jmerrick22]

thanks bro it's true.i feel better now.aftr our annual physical exam last month, my bp is now normal

So nothing to worry about

[Agora1 in reply to jackf4]

So glad to hear that Jack