High blood pressure and mental health
The International Society of Hypertension (ISH "International Hypertension League") even goes so far in a position paper to list "Body and mind", alongside diet and exercise, as an important pillar of lowering blood pressure. Specifically, they recommend getting enough sleep and reducing stress through meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. Listening to music and breathing techniques are also mentioned.
There is even a medical specialty, psychocardiology. In this section we want to take a closer look at the connection between the mind and blood pressure.
We also find the effect of Placebos i.e., inactive medications on blood pressure very fascinating. A tablet without an active ingredient, or even just the idea of taking a pill, can already lower blood pressure. Or take the annoying topic of "white-coat hypertension. Blood pressure is higher when a doctor measures it than when you measure it yourself.
Or do you know, for example, the condition alexithymia? People with it have difficulty accessing their emotions. Surprisingly many of these "emotionally blind" people suffer from high blood pressure.
Articles in this category:
- Blood pressure and mental health
- Blood pressure and stress
- Tip: Quick cold stimulus to calm you during acute stress
- Broken Heart Syndrome
- Blood pressure and emotions (Alexithymia)
- Anger and High Blood Pressure: A Threat to Blood Vessel Health
- Loneliness and Blood Pressure
- Making blood pressure measurements a habit
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 04/2024).
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
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