How stress affects your blood pressure

Too much stress can be fatal. Read on to find out how you can stay healthy and stress free.

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases prevalent in India and around the world.

According to a study published in the Journal of Hypertension, 33 per cent urban and 25 per cent rural population of Indian suffers from hypertension. Of these, 25 per cent rural and 42 per cent urban Indians are aware that they are hypertensive.

Stress can only add to your blood pressure and could prove to be fatal in the long run.

Stress and high blood pressure

When you are stressed, your body produces hormones which temporarily increase your blood pressure.

There is no proof that stress alone causes high blood pressure but habitual behaviour to cope with stress such as drinking alcohol and poor sleeping habits can results in high blood pressure.

High blood pressure risks increase over the long term

Temporary spikes in blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, heart and kidneys over time.

Coping with stress through smoking, drinking excess alcohol or eating unhealthy foods, increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

How to reduce stress

Simplify your schedule

With work, you social life and family responsibilities, you need to schedule some time for yourself.

By simplifying your schedule, you can stay organised and give you more time to pursue activities that make your happy.

Breathe to relax

Every time you feel stressed out, take a deep breath and count to five. This will calm your nerves and help you focus on the task at hand.

Exercise

Exercise is a natural stress leaver. It helps your brain produce endorphins that can elevate your mood.

Yoga and meditation

Yoga and meditation clears your mind and puts you in a deep state of relaxation. This will lower your blood pressure.

Plenty of sleep

Stress affects your quality of sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep. This can causes insomnia and in turn cause more stress.

Focus on finding solutions

Instead of complaining about the problem, work towards solving that problem.

This will involve identifying the problem, brainstorming and eventually selecting a solution.

Lead image used for representational purposes only. Image: Dadang Tri/Reuters