Health Anxiety

[lettingoffsteam]

Hi I was diagnosed with very high blood pressure in March and was in hospital for five days.I have also been diagnosed with a mild thickening of my heart (lvh) due to the blood pressure.Up to now my health has been good and I am 55. After this diagnosis I have been so anxious and have had to take time off from my work. I need to reduce my stress but I am so scared for the future. How do I deal with this?

[Agora1]

Hi lettingoffsteam, actually there are many ways for you to lower your stress levels.

One of them is not about worrying about the future. Living more in the present moment.

The past if gone and the future isn't promised so all we have is today, this moment in time.

Are you now on blood pressure medication? This will help in reducing the high readings

and in the long run protect your heart. You say you have been in good health and that is

to your benefit. Taking time off work for a while may be good until it no longer works

in de-stressing you. Some times it's important to keep our mind busy so that we don't

tend to focus on our health issues every minute of the day.

Talk therapy can help in addressing some of the issues you have with your stress.

You can't run away from them. Finding some methods to use each and every day

to give you some "me time" can do wonders in reducing b/p and stress.

I meditate and do deep breathing first thing upon awakening, mid afternoon for 10 min

as well as before sleep. It helps immensely in reducing your stress levels, lowering

your blood pressure and heart rate as well as calming your mind. ( I have A-Fib and

Mitral Valve Prolapse)

Don't allow your diagnosis stop you from living. Go forward and enjoy life. xx

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Agora1]

Hi Agora1, I am on medication for my BP and it has come down but the meds have caused so many side effects that bother me.For example, I get burning in my chest, back and arms which make me fear for a heart attack.I have been checked at A and E though and mentioned it to my GP with no concerns.It scares me though.

I know that isolating myself isn't healthy but this all came as a huge shock and it has left me so anxious.I am being assessed for CBT...hope that will help.

I should make more effort to relax I know.You say you have a fib and mitral valve prolapse.Did you feel anxious when this was diagnosed? What helped initially. Thanks.