Anyone else whose blood pressure is sensitive to emotions?

[triron]

Mine normally 110-130 over 70-80 zooms up to 150-160 over 90-100 when I get upset.

[subterranean]

1. My wife is like that.

Except her "normal" blood pressure is higher than yours. When she feels upset or stressed, it goes up very quickly. Likewise, if she breathes deeply and relaxes for a few minutes, it can also drop quickly.

[TDale313]

2. Semi- related.

I tend to get nervous at the Doctor’s office- like, pulse-starts-racing, bp spikes. White coat syndrome 😉 Doesn’t matter how long I’ve been with the doctor, my body just reacts. My bp’s mildly high normally, but stupid high when I’m there. I have to take it at home and bring in about a week’s worth of readings to show no, it’s not regularly that high.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. It's common.

I believe the cortisol and adrenalin (Fight-or-Flight hormones) flood your blood vessels, causing the heart to beat harder and faster.

Sometimes it can cause death, e.g, Broken Heart Syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617

Personal experience: My friend has heart issues and his daughter delivered a stillborn. She insisted that he go to view the dead baby and he balked because he was very apprehensive that his heart would fail if he viewed it. She didn't believe him and continues to think that he let her down. I know this man for decades and he is a very sensitive individual. It would have killed him.

[BigmanPigman]

4. This happens to everyone naturally...at least that is what I thought.

You can lower your blood pressure or stress very quickly by being around an animal. I volunteered with the Humane Society and took animals to different places where there were people in recovery and the patients loved petting animals and it was very beneficial to their health. This holds true for most people. Stroking an animal is the best medicine for everyone (sick or healthy).

[triron]

5. I do think some are more sensitive though.

I am one of those I believe.

[silverweb]

6. Yup.

A main reason I don't watch TV news at all anymore. Just seeing certain faces and hearing certain voices on the idiot box will make it spike more than almost anything else.

On edit: As mentioned, stroking a pet can help a lot, as can deep breathing. My 3 cats really do help, but I still have to make the conscious effort to breathe and relax.