Stressful situations generate unhealthy habits that can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Tips to reduce its effects
High blood pressure occurs when the blood vessels suffer from persistently high blood pressure. The higher the tension, the more difficult it is for the heart to pump. If it is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, or the need for dialysis due to kidney damage and other ailments.
It is estimated that hypertension currently affects between 25 and 30% of the world’s population. Data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicate that in Latin America and the Caribbean, between 20 and 40% of adults suffer from this disease, representing about 250 million people.Diseases kill 1.6 million Latin Americans annually. Even so, the control rates are unacceptably low.
In Argentina, 36.3% of the adult population has high blood pressure levels, according to the latest National Register of Arterial Hypertension (RENATA-2, carried out in 2016).
Situations where there is a generally high-stress level can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. On May 17, World Hypertension Day, it is critical to identify potential causes and triggers of the pathology.
“In the event of a stressful reaction, the body produces an elevation of certain hormones.”These hormones temporarily boost blood pressure, produce tachycardia, and restrict blood vessels,” said Miguel Schiavone, head of arterial hypertension at the British Hospital’s Cardiology Unit.
Although there is still no scientific evidence that stress alone causes long-term high blood pressure, what has been shown is that stress generates unhealthy habits that can lead to the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Many people seek to channel stress through harmful habits such as smoking,
increasing the intake of alcoholic beverages, and increasing the intake of fats and salty meals. Stress is often associated with anxiety, depression, and social isolation, decreasing physical activity and recreational opportunities. “All of this leads to a sustained increase in blood pressure in the long run,” said the British Hospital specialist.
Tips for managing stress and preventing hypertension
Keep things simple: adrenaline release causes palpitations or raises blood pressure. Hence, if you are in a rush, take a few minutes to check the list of chores and start selecting the most critical ones.
To relax, breathe deeply and slowly. Deep and slow breathing can help reduce stress and lower palpitations and blood pressure.
Physical activity: Exercise is a natural stress reliever. Yoga, Reiki, meditation, and mindfulness are all relaxation and strengthening techniques. They can also lower systolic blood pressure by up to 5 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).
Sleep well: a lack of sleep can make problems seem worse than they really are, and on the other hand, proper rest allows the body to metabolize situations experienced during the day.
Change your perspective on problems: acknowledge your emotions before focusing on solutions.
“These suggestions are not mutually exclusive, and each individual must determine the best solution in their particular situation. “Everyone chooses and implements their own plan,” stated the British Hospital’s arterial hypertension head.
High blood pressure is a disease that is usually silent because it usually has no symptoms, which is why many hypertensive people do not know about their condition.This requires home or doctor-monitored blood pressure.
Most hypertensive people do not know about their condition, which delays treatment and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s why following these tips and controlling your blood pressure is essential.
