How Anxiety Affects Blood Pressure

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   |   Updated: August 20, 2025   |   Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   

Updated: August 23, 2025   

Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

Feeling anxious about your blood pressure? Worried that stress is making your numbers too high? You’re not alone, and your body isn’t broken.

This page explains how anxiety naturally affects blood pressure, when to get help, and what you can do.

On This Page:

Woman with curly hair looking worried while checking blood pressure monitor at home

Anxiety Naturally Raises Blood Pressure

Person running away from tiger illustration showing anxiety response and blood pressure connection

Your Body Is Working Correctly

When you feel anxious, your brain sends a message: “Get ready! There might be danger.” Your body responds by making sure you have enough energy and blood flow to handle whatever comes next. Higher blood pressure is part of that preparation.

Today, the danger we face usually doesn’t involve running away or fighting. So, the rise in blood pressure doesn’t help us like it used to.
Person running away from tiger illustration showing anxiety response and blood pressure connection

This Is Safe for Most People

High blood pressure caused by anxiety can feel scary. But your body knows how to handle it. For most people, this won’t cause immediate harm like a stroke or heart attack. This depends on if you have heart or vascular (blood vessel) problems. Ask your doctor if you’re worried that you have one of these health problems.

This Response Isn't a Sign of Weakness or a Problem with Your Body

Everyone has changes in their blood pressure. You’re not weak or “broken” because anxiety affects your blood pressure. Everyone’s blood pressure changes during the day. Your body is just trying to protect you.

When to Worry

Call or Message Your Doctor when

  • Readings are high (180/110 or higher)
  • Your readings are randomly high even when you feel calm
  • The anxiety about your blood pressure is distressing
  • You have unconcerning symptoms like a headache

Call 911 or Go to the Nearest Emergency Room if

You have concerning symptoms like

  • Chest or back pain
  • New difficulty walking or moving
  • Trouble breathing
  • Any other concerning symptoms

Don't Worry if

  • Your readings are only high when you’re stressed or anxious
  • You feel physically fine during and after high readings
  • The numbers return to normal when you’re calm

What You Can Do

Try to Remind Yourself

  • Try to remember high readings make sense when you’re anxious 
  • Set a schedule for when you’ll take your blood pressure 
  • Write down when you’re anxious – You’ll know why those readings are higher
  • Talk to your medical provider about why you feel anxious. Is there something specific you’re worried about?
How to Check When You're Worried

What to Read Next

What Is a Blood Pressure Emergency?

→ Is High Blood Pressure an Emergency?

→ High Blood Pressure without Symptoms

→ Low Blood Pressure

→ Lightheaded when You Stand Up

→ Preeclampsia

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers

→ Why Blood Pressure Guidelines Changed

→ Why High Blood Pressure Takes Time to Fix

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

→ How to Choose the Right Blood Pressure Monitor

→ How to Take Your Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Lowering Medicines

→ Blood Pressure Medicine Types

→ Stopping or Changing Blood Pressure Medicine

 

Simple Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Blood Pressure

→ 3 Most Important Changes for Better Blood Pressure

→ Beyond Diet & Exercise

Managing Blood Pressure Anxiety

→ How Anxiety Affects Your Blood Pressure Readings

→ Taking Your Blood Pressure When Anxious

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

→ High Blood Pressure Before or in Early Pregnancy

→ Gestational Hypertension

→ Preeclampsia

Picture of Dr. M. Aaron Vrolijk

Dr. M. Aaron Vrolijk

Basile, Jan, and Michael J Bloch. “Overview of Hypertension in Adults.” UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2015.

Bilo, Grzegorz, Andrea Grillo, Valentina Guida, and Gianfranco Parati. “Morning Blood Pressure Surge: Pathophysiology, Clinical Relevance and Therapeutic Aspects.” Integrated Blood Pressure Control 11 (May 24, 2018): 47–56. https://doi.org/10.2147/IBPC.S130277.

Delong, Claire, and Sandeep Sharma. “Physiology, Peripheral Vascular Resistance.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538308/.

Homan, Travis D., Stephen J. Bordes, and Erica Cichowski. “Physiology, Pulse Pressure.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482408/.

Kawano, Yuhei. “Diurnal Blood Pressure Variation and Related Behavioral Factors.” Hypertension Research 34, no. 3 (March 2011): 281–85. https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2010.241.

Kim, Hack-Lyoung. “Arterial Stiffness and Hypertension.” Clinical Hypertension 29 (December 1, 2023): 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40885-023-00258-1.

Pollock, Joshua D., Ian V. Murray, Stephen J. Bordes, and Amgad N. Makaryus. “Physiology, Cardiovascular Hemodynamics.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470310/.

Riet, Luuk te, Joep H.M. van Esch, Anton J.M. Roks, Anton H. van den Meiracker, and A.H. Jan Danser. “Hypertension.” Circulation Research 116, no. 6 (March 13, 2015): 960–75. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.303587.

Shahoud, James S., Terrence Sanvictores, and Narothama R. Aeddula. “Physiology, Arterial Pressure Regulation.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538509/.

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