Stress increases blood pressure in the short term by activating the sympathetic nervous system, more commonly known as the “fight-or-flight response.” During periods of intense physical or emotional stress, the sympathetic nervous system carries out a number of tasks to prepare the body for the possibility of strenuous activity. One of these tasks is to increase blood pressure.

Sympathetic excitation from the brainstem is transmitted down the spinal cord to the heart, veins, kidneys, and arterioles. This excitation causes the heart to beat faster and contract with more strength, the veins to deliver more blood to the heart, the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water, and the arterioles to constrict. All of these actions result in increased blood pressure.

Although the role of stress in increasing blood pressure in the short term is well understood, there is still some debate as to whether this mechanism is involved in causing chronically elevated blood pressure. Although the connection has been well-established in animal models, difficulties in carrying out similar studies in humans have delayed a conclusive answer to this question. For now, patients can focus on eliminating the unhealthy behaviors provoked by stress that are proven to cause chronically high blood pressures: poor diet and smoking.

Dr. Karamanoukian is a staff member/founder of www.DiagnosisHeart.com