Does Stress Cause High Blood Pressure? What Seniors Should Know
Do you or an older loved one in Fuquay-Varina, NC, suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure)? If so, you're not alone.
Data from the U.S. CDC shows that almost half of American adults, or 119.9 million people, have hypertension. The agency's map-based infographic also shows that NC was among the states with a concentration of counties with the highest hypertension prevalence rates in 2021.
Now, you may have heard that stress has something to do with hypertension. So, this might have gotten you thinking, "Does stress cause high blood pressure?"
To that end, the caring team at TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, our senior living community in Fuquay-Varina, NC, put together this guide on how stress impacts aging and blood pressure. Read on to discover the connection and learn practical tips for managing stress and hypertension in seniors.
Does Stress Cause High Blood Pressure?
Yes, stress can cause high blood pressure. However, in most cases, the spikes are only temporary and short-term.
How Does Stress Lead to Blood Pressure Spikes?
Stress is a state of mental tension or worry brought on by a challenging or problematic situation. It's a natural human response that prompts people to address difficulties and threats they face.
Part of the body's stress response is "fight or flight," an automatic, physiological reaction that occurs when people find themselves in a dangerous or stressful situation. During such events, the body preps a person to confront (fight) or flee and escape (flight) from the threat.
The body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to ready itself to fight or flee. They're natural chemicals that prompt changes like:
- The shifting of blood flow to vital organs and muscles
- Release of stored energy sources
- Heightened senses
- Increased breathing and heart rate
- Blood vessel constriction
All those changes, especially the last two, can temporarily elevate blood pressure. However, once the stressor or threat disappears, blood pressure levels should subside and return to normal.
What About Chronic Stress and Long-Term Hypertension?
Chronic stress is ongoing stress that can last weeks, months, or even years. It's a prolonged and persistent state of feeling overwhelmed and pressured. Although its causes differ from person to person, chronic stress can negatively impact one's overall health and well-being.
One way chronic stress can harm health is by contributing to the development of hypertension, as Harvard Health Publishing points out. According to the same article, prolonged stress can also increase one's risks for or lead to:
- Changes in the brain
- Deposits forming in and clogging the arteries
- Obesity
- Mental health conditions like addiction, anxiety, and depression
A Yale Medicine article also points out that chronic stress, aside from raising blood pressure, can lead to other stress-related health issues such as:
- Heart damage
- High blood sugar
- High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Higher risk of heart attack and stroke
Chronic stress can also contribute to long-term high blood pressure and senior heart health woes by increasing one's likelihood of picking up unhealthy lifestyle habits. For example, seniors under constant stress may feel too anxious to exercise. They may also be more susceptible to stress eating and drinking and turn to unhealthy junk foods or alcohol.
How Can Seniors in Fuquay-Varina, NC, Avert Stress and Hypertension?
Reducing or preventing stress and hypertension may seem impossible, but many healthy, even fun (and delicious) ways exist to achieve this goal. Here are some that you or an older loved one can start with.
Try Nature Immersion
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers have found evidence that exposure to nature can have regulatory effects on the sympathetic nervous system within five minutes. In other words, it can help reduce stress and its many far-reaching effects, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate. Moreover, it can be helpful for people with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Even older adults without severe mental health concerns can benefit from time in nature. Its beauty and serenity can be helpful for negative emotions like irritability and loneliness.
To top everything off, Fuquay-Varina, NC, boasts numerous beautiful parks and nature centers:
- Parrish Womble Park
- Fleming Loop Park
- Ting Park
- Pleasant Park
- Hilltop Needmore Town Park
- Jones Park
With TerraBella Fuquay-Varina's convenient location, all those parks are close to our warm and welcoming memory care and assisted living community in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
Move More
Engaging in physical activity is one of the best ways for seniors to:
- Reduce stress levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Maintain a healthier weight
- Stay on their feet and enjoy independence longer
Regular exercise can also help older adults enjoy more blissful sleep. Plus, it's an excellent way to socialize with others, which is another effective strategy to reduce stress and manage blood pressure levels.
At TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, our assisted living and memory care community, we ensure our residents have daily access to these events and activities as part of our exclusive senior living programs.
Enjoy Nourishing Yet Mouthwatering Meals
Eating delicious food is a stress-busting activity that engages the brain's reward system. When this happens, dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and pleasure, gets released and makes people happy and satisfied.
However, it's not enough for older adults to eat delicious food. Their meals must also have all the nutrients for healthy aging.
Fortunately, nutritious, well-balanced meals don't have to be bland or tasteless, especially if prepared by a talented culinary team. At TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, our highly skilled and experienced chefs prepare nourishing and delicious meals for our older residents thrice daily.
Keep Both Stress and High Blood Pressure at Bay
So, does stress cause high blood pressure? Now you know that it does, although it's usually temporary. However, it can also contribute to long-term hypertension, especially if it's chronic and unmanaged.
Fortunately, seniors can lower their risks of long-term stress and high blood pressure by spending time in nature, exercising more, and eating more healthily.
At TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, our compassionate team is always ready to help residents engage in all those healthy activities and more. We look forward to doing the same for you or your older loved one so you can enjoy your golden years to the fullest with as little stress as possible.
Contact our senior living community in Fuquay-Varina, NC, today to schedule your tour and visit!