rhia,
thanks for the post.
1. Since my anxiety focesses on BP and it does seem to raise the BP should I consider a beta-blocker while dealing with this anxiety for heart health reasons.
No. unless you had a consistant number of readings that were high, I would strongly emphasize and try alternative methods of dealing with your anxiety and stress (ie exercise,
biofeedback, etc..) to try to lower your blood pressure before comitting you to medication.
2. Is the type of BP i'm having dangerous.
No in the short term. Chronically elevated blood pressure can have detrimental effects. I again think if you are having this much angst as a young woman...you should look into the exact causes of your anxiety and try dealing with them.
3. How long can the heart stand high BP without it beginning to harden the arteries
Coronary atherosclerosis is a life long disease. Therefore, it is important to take steps to minimize the progression even at a young age. Things like smoking, high fat diets and lack of exercise should be taboo for anyone, especially when you are in your prime.
4. Can stress in the absence of ALL other risk factors cause a heart attack
Generally it is the repsonse mechanisms to stress that cause problems. People often eat, drink or smoke because they are stressed which can have detrimental effects. To some degree, a level of stress in our lives is probably beneficial, we all like and thrive on new challenges. Its when these challenges become overwhelming and we develop poor coping habits that we tend to place ourselves at risk.
Good luck
2) The kind of BP you are having isn't even considered high. It is borderline at best.
3) your heart could withstand the rest of your natural life at that low of a blood pressure.
4)Only if you have underlying conditions such a a blockage in a coronary artery or narrowing of one of these arteries. Also if it causes high blood pressure over a long period of time. Stress can makes things that already exist worsen, but not cause it in and of itself in an otherwise healthy person.
I'm sure you've been told, you woory too much! But anxiety is a tough thing to deal with. I've dealt with it for some 20 years. Once you get the anxiety under control, your blood pressure will alright.
Sometimes 24 hour BP monitoring will help decide if treatment for very mild htn is warrented.
I had mild "white coat" hypertension for years, and it wasn't til an MRI of my brain (done for other reasons) detected subtle changes often associated with long standing hypertension. I then had 24 hr BP monitoring on several occasions, and it turned out my BP was hanging above 140/90 a lot of the time, unbeknownst to me. And even though THAT isn't even very high, it was high enough to start to cause damage. A lot of the time it was 110/60 or so.
So I needed treatment even though my BP is often quite normal.
To the original poster--none of us are doctors here, and you shouldn't take any one persons' experiences or opinions to heart (literally!).
My experience is probably way out of the norm.
Best Wishes
thank you