What should you know about stress induced hypertension?

Adrenaline during stress can make the heart beat faster and tighten blood vessels, causing a temporary rise. Hypertension is diagnosed from a pattern of readings rather than one anxious moment. Persistent high pressure can strain blood vessels and organs, including the heart and kidneys, and is associated with conditions such as heart failure, angina, stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea can also affect blood pressure and deserve attention when relevant.

For a useful reading, rest quietly, sit with your back supported and feet on the floor, keep your arm supported, and avoid measuring immediately after exertion, caffeine or nicotine. Take readings at consistent times if your clinician advises, and record the result with symptoms and medicines. Build regular sleep, movement, balanced meals and stress-management habits. Continue prescribed treatment and never stop it suddenly without advice.

Call emergency services for very high blood pressure accompanied by chest pain, severe breathlessness, weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, confusion, seizure or sudden vision change. These may indicate a heart or brain emergency. Arrange medical review for repeated high readings, headaches that keep returning, dizziness, or new symptoms, even if stress seems to be the trigger.

Ask how to measure at home, how often to record readings, and whether your medicines or sleep quality affect control. Ask what reading pattern or symptoms should lead to same-day or emergency care.