Untying the Knot of Chronic Stress and Hypertensio

Untying the Knot of Chronic Stress and Hypertension

Understanding the complex relationship between persistent stress and elevated blood pressure is crucial for effective management of hypertension.

Doctor… I'm really stressed, I've been getting headaches, and I can't sleep well... Can you check my blood pressure please? I think I have hypertension.

If the consultation begins with the scenario described above, then I anticipate to give some basic but important explanations about two different conditions: hypertension and stress. Hypertension refers to consistently elevated pressure pushing against our blood vessels, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Complications such as strokes, kidney failure and heart disease can directly result from poorly managed hypertension.

Acute stress is characterized by physiological and psychological reactions to specific events, while chronic stress involves a persistent feeling of pressure and being overwhelmed. An example of acute stress would be the typical responses experienced before a public speaking engagement, whereas many of us became familiar with chronic stress during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The patients’ inquiries will be followed up with a series of exploratory questions by the doctor to determine the precise nature of the patient’s symptoms. Is the patient experiencing acute stress or exhibiting symptoms of chronic stress? Are there actual headaches or migraines present, which could indicate a separate medical condition needing attention? Is hypertension actually present, or is there a misconception on the patient’s part, assuming stress equates to hypertension?

In this piece, we will discuss the links between chronic stress and hypertension.

LINKS BETWEEN CHRONIC STRESS AND HYPERTENSION

Population-based studies have clearly demonstrated that a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep patterns, dissatisfaction with work, alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse are associated with a higher incidence of chronic stress.

Conversely, exercise, maintaining a good work/life balance, strong familial or spousal relationships, and higher religiosity serve as protective factors linked to lower rates of chronic stress. Following a challenging and stressful day, some individuals may choose to alleviate stress by going for a run, while others may opt for a large, carbo-loaded meal with alcohol.

This continuous cycle of stressful episodes, compounded by mechanisms that sustain its presence along with an inability to effectively manage the challenges faced, creates ideal conditions for the development of chronic stress and its associated symptoms.

Individuals experiencing chronic stress often exhibit symptoms such as headaches, diminished concentration at work, increased sleepiness and low mood. Additionally, they may undergo alterations in social interactions and responses to others, as well as engage in alcohol misuse.

Research indicates that individuals with hypertension commonly share risk factors with those experiencing chronic stress, including a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol misuse, poor sleep patterns and an imbalance between work and personal life.

Of particular interest is the extensive study of chronic stress related to family separation, poverty, displacement and discrimination. Similarities can be drawn between adults seeking employment in urban centers without social support and various refugee communities globally displaced by conflict, famine and political oppression. Hypertension prevalence is also rising within these communities.

Risk factors with those experiencing chronic stress

Research indicates that individuals with hypertension commonly share risk factors with those experiencing chronic stress, including a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol misuse, poor sleep patterns and an imbalance between work and personal life

Various pathways have been explored to investigate the potential direct causality between chronic stress and hypertension. These pathways include the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system, stress hormone activity such as cortisol and the development of insulin resistance.

Another significant area of study examines the increased cellular inflammation observed in chronic stress and hypertension, and the potential interrelation between the two conditions. Presently, researchers have not identified a definitive mechanism that fully explains how chronic stress leads to hypertension.

For general readers, it is essential to grasp that the development and perpetuation of hypertension involve multiple complex mechanisms. Therefore, understanding potential factors contributing to hypertension in a specific patient, such as age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and sometimes chronic stress, requires thorough investigation. Failure to address significant treatable factors often renders treatment ineffective.

Among healthcare professionals, there is increasing support for the notion that chronic stress exposure contributes to hypertension development. However, further prospective studies are necessary to establish a causal relationship definitively. Despite this lingering question, improvements in how doctors communicate with patients and address psychosocial challenges are imperative. Simply prescribing medication for hypertension is insufficient; recognition of chronic stress and its associated conditions is crucial, and effective management strategies must be implemented.

Dr Zubin Othman Ibrahim is a Consultant Cardiologist and Physician at Ara Damansara Medical Centre