Stress does not cause chronic Hypertension

Ranchi : If someone says that it’s because of stress that he or she has become hypertensive, then the claim by cardiologists differs in opinion.

The announcements of medically correct facts come from cardiologist on the occasion of World Hypertension Day 2015, being observed worldwide on 17th May 2015.

Dr Manoj Kumar, Associate Director and Head of Cath lab at Max Hospital, Patparganj says that there is
no evidence yet that can prove that stress causes chronic high blood pressure or chronic hypertension.

“Some people cope with stress by overeating or eating unhealthy foods, smoking, drinking and other activities that raise their risk for heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.”

He adds “Stress causes body to release hormones that makes the heart beat faster and constricting blood
vessels to get more blood to the core of the body instead of the extremities.

Constriction of blood vessels and increase in heart rate does raise blood pressure, but only temporarily; when the stress reaction goes away, blood pressure returns to its pre-stress level.

This is called situational stress, and its effects are generally short-lived and disappear when the stressful event is over.

Hence there is no concrete links to establish stress can cause hypertension” said Dr Manoj Kumar.

On hypertension management he says that “Both prevention and control strategies include getting enough exercise and ensuring a diet rich in vegetables and low in sodium.

With such motivation, what’s behind the lack of action? Respondents in a investigation done by Dr Manoj Kumar with 500 patients cited a number of barriers, like finding time for exercise, eating a healthy diet with limited time to cook and not knowing enough about hypertension.

Every person should check their blood pressure annually, and more often if they have hypertension,” says Dr. Manoj Kumar”World Hypertension Day serves as a reminder to check your blood pressure and is an easy first step in disease prevention.”