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What Causes High BP During Anxiety And Panic Attacks?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Apr 2015
Question: Hi doc i have a question. I have my blood pressure checked regularly at my doctor office. He says it's always normal around 135/80 except during times of anxiety. During high anxiety or panic it has gone up to 175/100 . He says I do not have high blood pressure because my echo would have also showed thick heart mussels which it did not. Is it dangerous for me to get palpitations and the high blood pressure from anxiety? I know everyone with panic attacks gets a spike in BP when they are having an episode
I do get Pacs and rare unifocal PVCS. My last holter caught 15 PVCS and 925 PACS over 48 hours
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about, just try to control better your anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX! Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern, and I want to explain to you that blood pressure, as one of the most important vital parameters, has a very dynamic nature. Thanks to the circulation regulatory mechanisms and dynamic nature of BP, we are able to successfully face with so many different stressful and sometimes dangerous situations during our lives. And your doctor was right, when he gave you such an explanation.

I made all this introduction to tell you that BP changing values is a normal physiological reaction to several stressful situations (physical, as well as psychological stress). Your average BP at rest is within normal values, and a proportional increase of BP in accordance with the stress burden, imposed by so many situations, is also considered normal reaction. If anxiety disorder tends to persist longer and destabilize your daily activity, as well as normal BP continuously, then some precautionary measures should be undertaken.

An appropriate therapy to fight anxiety, as well as behavioral modulation would be the best choice to follow.

So, to conclude, and cut is clear and short for you, I can hardly find a dangerous situation imposed by some isolated demonstrations of anxiety. My advice is: Try to control your anxiety, with your own mind or even by any anxiolytics (anxiety-relief drugs) help.

Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (57 minutes later)
I doctor Thank you so much this explained it very well. I went to the hospital last year and during panic they gave me a beta blocker but it did not help so they gave me ativan and it went down. I'm just really worried about all this stuff to do with the heart. I have 3 little children and we just had a baby boy 6 months ago. Am I going to he ok?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You just open the door and leave the panic outside!

Detailed Answer:
Hello again! Anxiety and panic attacks treatment requires a long and closely supervised therapy. The optimal strategy would be implemented by a specialist in the field (psychiatrist). It is generally well tolerated and resolves somatic symptoms as well (including heart complains). You don't have to worry about cardiac issues, that is not the matter! So, relax! Your little children and family environment are going to have a positive impact when dealing with anxiety.
Wishing you a good health! Greetings!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
Doctor Thank you for your great response. I appreciate everything you tell me. Doctor is it normal to have tachycardia with acid reflux. I felt some acid reflux while unloading groceries from my car and my bpm was 160. Also one more thing is it normal to have the etopic beats before bed and also when I wake up in the morning? Does that mean it is happening while I am sleeping? Is that dangerous?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There are some special moments that keep our sensations.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXX! Yes, acid reflux is an irritant stimulus that may exacerbate tachycardia, as well as physical activity (even when unloading groceries, etc)
Lying down at night and early in the morning are the two most labile psychological periods of day-night stream, when individuals are more prone to be affected by unpleasant thoughts, anxiety, or even panic attacks. These are reflexive moments mixed with some kind of suspense, and characterized by more sharp sensing ability. So, it is not unusual people feel even more tiny sensations (even very few extra beats).
That is all me explanation for you.

Hope to have been helpful.
MY Best Wishes! Dr. Iliri.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9535 Questions

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What Causes High BP During Anxiety And Panic Attacks?

Brief Answer: Nothing to worry about, just try to control better your anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern, and I want to explain to you that blood pressure, as one of the most important vital parameters, has a very dynamic nature. Thanks to the circulation regulatory mechanisms and dynamic nature of BP, we are able to successfully face with so many different stressful and sometimes dangerous situations during our lives. And your doctor was right, when he gave you such an explanation. I made all this introduction to tell you that BP changing values is a normal physiological reaction to several stressful situations (physical, as well as psychological stress). Your average BP at rest is within normal values, and a proportional increase of BP in accordance with the stress burden, imposed by so many situations, is also considered normal reaction. If anxiety disorder tends to persist longer and destabilize your daily activity, as well as normal BP continuously, then some precautionary measures should be undertaken. An appropriate therapy to fight anxiety, as well as behavioral modulation would be the best choice to follow. So, to conclude, and cut is clear and short for you, I can hardly find a dangerous situation imposed by some isolated demonstrations of anxiety. My advice is: Try to control your anxiety, with your own mind or even by any anxiolytics (anxiety-relief drugs) help. Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri