Yes; reaction to pain and stress.

Yup. And I asked my neuro about whether the frequent hits could increase the risk of an aneurism. She did a test on me (I forget what it was called) to test the ceullar walls of my veins (arteries?) and found no damage. I still think its worth keeping an eye on. Like most here, it's hard to imagine that kind of stress would just stop when the hit stops, without lasting effect. Any other thoughts on this guys? blessings. lance

Blood pressure can vary considerably throughout the day. Some individuals have a higher degree of variability than others. Anything that causes stress can cause blood pressure to increase. For example, a near miss in a car may put some people's blood pressure up considerably.

Pain can increase blood pressure and heart rate by virtue of the fact that it increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight mechanism) resulting in release of adrenaline which constricts the blood vessels and speeds up the heart. However once the pain is relieved blood pressure and heart rate should return to normal levels.

However, pain can also cause what is known as a vagal response. In this case the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated and sends messages to the heart via the vagus nerve to slow down. So in some individuals we may see a decrease in HR and BP. Interesting isn't it how we can vary so much from one person to another.

Some anti-inflammatories can also affect blood pressure. See:
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Short term increases in blood pressure usually won't result in significant risk, unless you have an unusual suseptibility (eg aneurysm). Long term high blood pressure is not good though and is associated with greater likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

For what it is worth I have only ever checked my blood pressure once during an attack. I was in so much pain that presumed it would be high and my pulse rate also. However to my surprise both BP and HR where quite normal. I must think to check it again next time I have a bad one.

PS Ironically worrying about your BP being high is one of the things that can cause it to be high!

The silver lining to that dark cloud....Verapamil is a front line prevent and a high blood pressure drug!

Joe

ref. msg #8: If I were still in practice (mental health counselor) I would be strongly encouraging you to see your primary care doc for a good work-up on causes of such extreme and frequent anxiety.

This may involve working with a cardiologist and/or a psychiatrist, I assume. But both the intensity of the anxiety and the suicidal urges should not be neglected.

I take BP meds as a matter of routine for hypertension unrelated to CH. As a matter of fact I have a stent in my right coronary artery. Without sounding too stupid, I hope, how do you guys tolerate these (what I consider) extreme dosages of verapimil!? My HR and BP would plummet to 0 if I took 700mg of that stuff! Now, admittedly, I take toprol and lisinopril as a matter of routine, but I can't quit those and take only the verapimil and also (although my cardiologist is ver compliant and understanding) my cardio man isn't in favor of any but the sustained release. Gimme some feedback. Whaddya think you would do? Oh, by the way, I am currently @ 120mh-ER vpmil. If it matters to anyone here is the resta my meds list
Lantus insulin 80u
Lyrica 100mg BID
Toprol 100mg BID
Lisinopril/HTCZ 20mg/25mg (that's a diuretic with it)
Lovastatin 40mg
Aspirin325mg
Hydrocodone/APAP 7.5/500    PRN
Imitrex injection 4 or 6mg
coffee upon hit!!

Sorry if I just bumped an old thread! I didn't think about that.