It occurs when the body releases stress hormones. These hormones trigger an increase in heart rate and a narrowing of the blood vessels. Both of these changes can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise.
A 2015 review indicates that people with intense anxiety have a higher risk of hypertension than those with lower levels of anxiety. Researchers conclude that early detection and treatment of anxiety are particularly important in people with hypertension.
Anxiety-induced increases in blood pressure are usually temporary and subside once the anxiety lessens. Regularly having high levels of anxiety, however, can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels in the same way that long-term hypertension can.
In the long term, anxiety-related hormone changes may cause increased fat deposits, particularly around the abdomen. Anxiety can also prompt behavior changes in people, such as stress eating, which may indirectly contribute to hypertension.
Additionally, some medications for anxiety can increase blood pressure. Research from 2017 found that serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which people use to treat anxiety disorders, can increase blood pressure.