Is my anxiety causing my high heart rate and high blood pressure

[Kbpeters03]

In 2018 my eldest son who was born with a heart defect passed away from complications of a surgery for internal defibrillator. For two years I had panic attacks and anxiety. I had 6 week's of group threatening was good. In February 2022 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I had an ECG and echogram showed everything normal. My anxiety stopped. Blood pressure is still high. My parents are elderly and live in Ohio.Since I have POA I go see them each school holiday. It has been very stressful. I'm going to Ohio again from 24 July until 11 August and then to Bogota Colombia 11 August until 24 August. For the past three weeks my blood pressure has been high 170\110 heart best is like 120 random getting low but noticeable throbbing on my right temple and small localized chest pains on my left side of chest. My GP told me to go to A&E. Im here now. Waiting. I just want to be okay for the trip.I'm wondering if my anxiety is back.Is this nornal?

[Dixie9326]

No, that is not normal. It certainly needs to be evaluated by a physician which you’re doing.. Good luck to you and hope you can make your planned trips:)😘

[Kbpeters03 in reply to Dixie9326]

Thank you. I'm still in A&E

[Kbpeters03]

Sorry for the spelling mistakes. I am using my kindle and it's making weird corrections. It should say I was in 6 weeks of therapy.

[b1b1b1]

It is not normal. At a minimum your blood pressure needs to be controlled. I would also think you need to be under the care of a cardiologist and have some additional heart tests as well. Being in the ER is a very good first step as they are able to check and treat some things.

[Babe1213]

First of all I would like to say I feel sad for your loss. Although I have not experienced the loss of a child of my own, I have counselled many couples through their time of trial. I also have twin grandsons who were born with extremely rare syndromes - they are non-identical, were not expected to live more than a few years because of heart related problems, and they have both had several open heart surgeries. They are now 17 years plus 4 months. I know what my daughter has gone through, so I can genuinely say to you, I understand! I believe what you are experiencing is stress and anxiety, possibly due to buried grief, six weeks does not sound a long enough time, and the lack of 'close family support.' You say your elderly parents live in Ohio, it must be hard for you not having them close at hand. With regard to your blood pressure, this can be caused by stress, by loneliness, by heart ache, or 101 other reasons. This can be eased with diet - not necessarily the loss of weight, but a balanced diet that covers all your daily needs - food stuffs and amino acids, vitamins and mineral, your doctor should be able to help assess your needs. With regard to your heart beat, anything over 100 is classed as tachycardia, and needs to be checked out by a doctor. I am glad you are now in A & E because they will monitor you for a while and give appropriate medication, they will also advise on flight to Ohio. Many hospitals in UK (where I live) are introducing 'A One Stop diagnosis' directly under the control of A & E, where if you present with high BP, high heart rate, they will do all the necessary tests in one session, and advise you of the outcome, diagnosis and prognosis. I am hoping your local A & E provides this service for you. It will certainly put your mind at rest. I think - and I have been there, done that, and worn out the T Shirts, the one thing that brings in anxiety is worrying about what you might have. It is the NOT KNOWING that causes the biggest problems. I pray that you will get to OHIO to your parents, spend quality time with, and on your return seek some intensive counselling - especially for the loss of your little one. When you do feel anxious, I suggest you take control, find something to take you mind off. Maybe in your imagination you can place yourself in a garden or on a beach, take in the sights and sounds of that place, maybe even play a piece of music that is special to you. I am a committed Christian, right for me, but not for everyone, if you are so inclined at the first sign of an episode of stress/anxiety, pray - even if you don't believe in GOD, He believes in you, and loves you, and wants the very best for you. If you want to make contact to query about what I've said don't hesitate to reply here. I hope all goes well today.

[Agora1]

Kbpeters03, I'm wondering how you made out at the A&E yesterday?Please update us on your condition. We care xx