Does anxiety causes hypertension?

[ham686]

hello doctor..a very good morning..Sir,i m 23 year male.I hv been suffering from anxiety and panic disorders since long time.i hav some questions regarding that..whenever i change my place and i go to new place i dont feel comfortable from inside.i dont like surroundings.my body gets warms and i hv palpitations sometime when i try to talk with some one new person whom i never met.i do sweat also at the same time.and this happens many times with me..so i developed fear.
Sir,i want to know what is the real reason behind this.?if i talk about me personally, i hv never fear of anybody or any place or like water or height..i dont take any tension also.i live happily with friends and family.but there is something in my body which is pathological or "not healthy we can say" which is not leaving me.i m  in need of permanent cure of this.i sweat a lot ..can this reason b behind this?
just before few days i checked my blood pressure which was shown high 160/80mmhg.I m very active,fit by body also,i do exercise since many years both gym exercise and aerobics like walking also..even though my blood pressure is not in control..i humbly request u to kindly do needful me..i will b really thankful to u if u help me to solve these problems..Thanking you very much... Waiting for yr kind reply....With best Regards..  hamid

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

yes, anxiety can raise blood pressure the way your blood pressure reading indicates, the systolic blood pressure...that is not usually part of the pathological high blood pressure syndrome.....regarding you anxiety symptoms, they are the workings of your brain that senses a danger, in this case the danger of how new people will evaluate you...and maybe find out your secret self doubts...that is where I would suggest you start exploring....

[Jaquta]

The symptoms you describe seem to be those associated with the stress response (flight or fight).
The sweating could be related to other conditions (where people sweat excessively) or they may just be related to the anxiety and panic.  If it's hot you're going to sweat more too.

Anxiety can raise blood pressure.
For some people just visiting their doctor can be very stressful and so when their blood pressure is taken the readings are elevated.
If you're concerned about your BP, etc you should discuss these with your doctor.  Anxiety isn't the only thing that can affect BP.