Can panic attacks cause high blood pressure?

We’ve all experienced that feeling of our heart beating fast and a sense of unease creeping up our throats. Yes, we’re talking about panic attacks! Not the most pleasant experience in the world, huh? One question that crosses many people’s minds is: can panic attacks cause high blood pressure? Well, keep reading because we have some surprising answers for you.

What are Panic Attacks?

Before diving into whether panic attacks can cause high blood pressure or not, let’s first understand what they are. Panic Attack is an episode of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling and increased heartbeat. People experiencing a panic attack may even feel like they are dying or having a heart attack. It can be frightening to go through!

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

How do you know if what you’re feeling right now is just stress or actually something more severe like a panic attack? Here are some common symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Heart palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Feeling dizzy

And remember – these symptoms usually come on very suddenly!

The Relationship Between Panic Attacks and Blood Pressure

Now let’s get back to our primary question – Can Panic Attacks Really Cause High Blood Pressure? The short answer is yes! When someone experiences anxiety during a panic attack, their body produces hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that trigger an increase in blood pressure. So while it might be brief (unless chronic) it certainly happens.. over time this could lead to hypertension.

[INFO BOX]: Hypertension means having consistently elevated levels of systolic (top number) readings above 140 mm Hg [millimeter of mercury] , diastolic (bottom number) readings above 90 mm Hg), or both within your veins/arteries.

How Long Can High Blood Pressure Last After a Panic Attack?

Let’s say you have been through a panic attack and are now concerned about your blood pressure; how long should it take for levels to return to normal? The good news is that in most cases, blood pressure will start decreasing once the adrenaline-rush caused by anxiety subsides. In some cases, though, blood pressure can remain elevated even several days after the panic attack.

If this happens (which again isn’t too common), It is advisable to see a healthcare professional right away – only they can offer sound advice on what preventative measures such as lifestyle changes or medication may be taken.

Are There Any Risk Factors Associated With Developing High Blood Pressure From Panic Attacks?

While anyone can suffer from high blood pressure due to sudden surges of anxiety during panic attacks there are certain groups prone more than others:

-Age: Older people tend to have higher blood pressures before events like these
-Weight: People with weight problems are definitely at risk relative to those who lead healthier lives
-Family history of hypertension: Genetics play a significant role and if there’s any family history of high-reared readings then one needs regular monitoring
-Caffeine/Alcohol Drug use : These drugs cause spikes in adrenaline which exacerbate hypotension

Managing Your Anxiety

With all this information in mind it becomes critical that we learn ways of dealing with our anxiety properly so we reduce our chances of developing hypertension resulting from frequent episodes!

Appropriate diet

Ideally having lower salt diets helps maintain more stable BP levels along with other dietary habits.

Adequate Physical Exercise

Having adequate physical exercise linked up well with lowered BP readings

Meditation/Guided Relaxation Techniques

Meditations etc do wonders for helping keep ‘cool’ under duress

Bonus Points ! Using an APP like Calm or Headspace genuinely help alleviate persistent symptoms and reduce amounts of medication for some.

Can We Control Panic Attacks to Avoid High Blood Pressures?

Definitely! with the right combination of lifestyle changes coupled with mental health tools, one can expect a substantial reduction in severe panic attacks.

Some things you should consider include:

1 – Regular Exercise

Exercise is not just beneficial for staying physically healthy – it has excellent benefits for your mental health too!.

2- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This therapy teaches you how to manage your anxiety symptoms effectively by identifying negative thoughts that trigger panic attack episodes as well as developing appropriate coping mechanisms when such circumstances arise.

3-Deep Breathing/Self-Care/Relaxation Techniques

Learn techniques like controlled breathing exercises and mindfulness. They’re directly linked with stress management which builds resilience through repeated exposures

In Conclusion:

Panic attacks are more than unpleasant experiences—they may even lead to hypertension over time if left uncontrolled or fanatically recurring. If you experience consistently high blood pressure after a panic episode, always be sure to reach out and contact your healthcare professional so they can offer helpful guidance suitable for your needs— but ultimately managing risk starts by making pre-emptive lifestyle changes today rather than leaning on symptomatic treatments tomorrow!

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