anxiety and high blood pressure - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

juju911 · 05-24-2004, 04:56 PM

I have been having a problem with high blood pressure for about six months. I am a 20 year old male who is in great physical condition. I play college basketball. Recently I have been suffering from anxiety and when I have been going to the doctor I have been getting high bp readings. They have been fluctating a lot. Sometimes I get high readings like 170/99 and then I'll get another reading of 140/90. Last time I went to the doctor it was 160/90. Sometimes I can feel my pulse in my head and sometimes it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. Six months ago I went to the doctor for our team physical and my bp was 124/82. High bp runs in my family but I think it is very strange with my age and physical condition that I have high bp. I have been having the anxiety problem for about six months also. I had many test ran on my heart one time when I went to the emegency room for chest pains(turned out to be acid refulx) and everything came back great. I was wondering if my anxiety is causing the high bp readins. My anxiety is constantly causing me to worry about my bp. please help. I am so worried that I am going to have a stroke or heart attack. I really don't want to take any bp medication.Any anwsers will help.Thanks.

Random2 · 05-25-2004, 08:24 AM

Yes, it very well could be. I had full blood tests, a cat scan, everything, but I only get High Blood Pressure at the doc. All of my tests came out perfect. Maybe, the doc. can prescribe something to help with the anxiety.

CindiLynn · 05-26-2004, 04:01 PM

I have been having the same problem. I am 29 and have never had a blood pressure issue until recently. I have been diagnosed w/ Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I take an anti-anxiety med for it. When I do not take my meds and know my blood pressure is up-it just makes it worse and go higher. It also does not help that I work in a Dr's office and they make me more nervous if I have them take it and it is high (they tell me I could have a stroke, etc). Bottom line-see a Dr about taking either Blood Pressure meds or anxiety meds. Sounds like you may need anxiety meds since you admit to an anxiety problem.

Rick7799 · 05-27-2004, 01:23 PM

Stress and anxiety can cause high blood pressure. I know, because it raises mine. Also, it sounds like you have classic white coat hypertension. It's highest when you are at the doctors office. You are stressed out and thinking about it as you are waiting for him to take it. I have the same problem and my doctor knows it, so he doesn't push the meds on me. You don't want to get on blood pressure medication if this is the problem.

bogmallo · 06-03-2004, 11:38 PM

Many people get White coat hypertension but this sounds a clear case of anxiety. You may like to go to a psychiatrist who will be able to prescribe some anti anxiety medicines. Get this done now and spare yourself sleepless nights.

Take care