High blood pressure Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.
Answers to questions about high blood pressure
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Does stress cause high blood pressure and if so how can I reduce my stress levels?
- Can I travel by plane if I have high blood pressure?
- Can medicines cause high blood pressure?
Does stress cause high blood pressure and if so how can I reduce my stress levels?
Your blood pressure can rise if you're anxious or stressed. Long-term stress isn't thought to cause permanently high blood pressure. You may be able to help reduce your stress levels using relaxation techniques and exercise.
Explanation
Your blood pressure will change throughout the day and can increase if you become stressed or anxious. This can also happen if you get worried about seeing your GP to have your blood pressure measured - this is known as 'white coat syndrome'. Your GP will want to take at least two measurements of your blood pressure to be certain that it's consistently high.
If your blood pressure rises when you're stressed, there are therapies you can try to help you control these short-term increases.
- You may find relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga are helpful.
- Stress management can help to prevent you getting stressed.
- Cognitive therapy (a type of talking therapy) can help you to focus on how you're feeling and how you cope with your problems.
Ask your GP for more advice about these therapies for blood pressure control.
Checking the results from a blood pressure monitor in different situations lets you see if your blood pressure is rising so that you can try to control it.
Further information
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
www.rcpsych.ac.uk - British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
www.babcp.com - Blood Pressure Association
0845 241 0989
www.bpassoc.org.uk - British Heart Foundation
0845 070 80 70
www.bhf.org.uk
Sources
- Blood pressure. British Heart Foundation, 2005, Heart Information Series No. 4. www.bhf.org.uk
- Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford handbook of general practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:316
- Hypertension (persistently high blood pressure) in adults. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2006, Information about NICE Clinical Guideline 34. www.nice.org.uk
Can I travel by plane if I have high blood pressure?
Yes. Travelling by plane won't affect your blood pressure but you should consult your GP before you fly.
Explanation
Blood pressure isn't affected by air travel so it's perfectly safe for you to travel by plane if you have high blood pressure.
It's a good idea to consult your GP before you travel, especially if your blood pressure is unstable. Make sure that you have packed enough medicines to last you for your whole trip; you can get a prescription for up to three months from your GP. It's a good idea to pack some in your hand luggage and keep a note of your prescription or a letter from your GP in case your suitcase goes missing or if you get stopped at customs. You may have to pay a fee to obtain documents from your GP.
You should also be aware that travelling can be stressful and this can cause your blood pressure to rise. Make sure you leave in plenty of time for your departure and don't pack too much as struggling with a heavy suitcase could also increase your blood pressure.
Sources
- Blood pressure. British Heart Foundation, 2005, Heart Information Series No. 4. www.bhf.org.uk
- Day-to-day living. Blood Pressure Association. www.bpassoc.org.uk, accessed 10 April 2008
Can medicines cause high blood pressure?
Yes. Certain medicines can cause high blood pressure.
Explanation
High blood pressure (hypertension) that has a known cause is called secondary hypertension.
There are a number of substances and medicines that are known to cause hypertension including:
- stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and cocaine
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as etoricoxib (Arcoxia)
- the oral contraceptive pill and other hormone treatments
- some medicines used to treat anaemia, such as erythropoietin and corticosteroids
- certain medicines that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, for example ciclosporin and leflunomide (Arava)
- certain herbal medicines that contain liquorice
- sodium in soluble medicines
Always consult your GP before you start taking any new medicines.
You should also be aware that certain medicines can interact with each other to cause hypertension. For example, some over-the-counter nasal decongestants contain ingredients that can interact with certain antidepressants to cause hypertension.
Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Sources
- Drug-induced hypertension. MedlinePlus. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus, accessed 11 April 2008
- Hypertension. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 11 April 2008
- British National Formulary (BNF). BMJ Publishing Group, 2007. 54:531; 542; 747
- Douglas L, Akil M. Sodium in soluble paracetamol may be linked to raised blood pressure. BMJ 2006; 332:1133. www.bmj.com
Related topics
- Anaemia - a general overview
- Herbal medicine
- Hormonal contraception
- Menopause
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stress
- Stress in the workplace
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: May 2009
