Blood Pressure Spikes in Acutely Stressful Situations

I can’t even believe the headlines lately with the weather and other environmental disasters.  We are hovering around the BP oil spill anniversary and the earthquake’s effects in Japan are still being suffered months later.

Tornadoes this spring have caused such destruction in southeast US that there is little doubt of some environmentally induced blood pressure problems for thousands of people.

North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee…and especially Alabama… recently have all seen utter devastation in their areas with deaths directly caused by the tornado season so far already numbering over 200.

A reader wrote in a while back asking about the effects of weather events and other environmental stresses such as those mentioned above and its effects on blood pressure.

I know that I don’t even have to experience it firsthand for my heart to beat harder and the flush to come into my cheeks.  I have but to read the news coming out of Birmingham to see my own blood pressure numbers affected.

 
Associated Press photo

Environmental events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes and pollution catastrophes effect more than the people clinging to life in their basements or on an evacuation route. They affect the families, friends, and neighbors of those who are in extreme peril.

And those who find their blood pressure soaring through the roof don’t even have to have a pre-existing hypertension problem. This can occur in someone who was perfectly healthy before a disaster.

And the anxiety dangers with blood pressure don’t stop after the event ends. The destruction that is left to be cleaned up and repaired after the monsters move on can take years to correct and recover from.

Those without insurance or who have lost loved ones are especially wounded, as these stressful events seem insurmountable.

But there is some light in the midst of these very dark days.  I was so warmed to see communities all over the US and elsewhere in the world rally to the aid of Japan’s earthquake victims with donations.

The staff at the Lowe’s store in Sanford, NC very likely saved the lives of everyone in the store with their planning, action, and focus.

And no doubt that Alabama residents will receive the same outpouring of generosity now that this week’s storms are passed on.

Organizations such as the American Red Cross and other charities who respond immediately are feeling their own stress these days as their funds, resources, and volunteers are tapped to the very ends of their endurance.

The point here is that even sometimes with proper planning and preparation terrible event occur that are beyond our control to stop or prevent.

We can, however, plan for the aftermath in a way that saves lives, gets communities back on their feet, and preserves the health and well-being of the survivors.

What results in the planning is better health. Knowing that you have a plan in place after a terrible event such as a tornado will help to alleviate a significant amount of stress during the recovery phase. This keeps your body healthier which in turn, keeps your stamina and resolve where it should be to finish the job of rebuilding.

The other side of that coin is to do a good turn for those around you, understanding that in giving of your own time, resources, and funds that you are not only making yourself feel better but you are also eliminating a huge portion of grief for someone else; thereby helping his or her blood pressure to come back down.

When you feel your blood pressure start to rise after watching the news, take the steps to bring it back down naturally. You can start by doing that good turn today.  Find a worthy and effective charity that is helping in these crises and offer up what you can…even if it’s the gift of your time and talent.

You will be instantly renewed, and so will all the many direct and indirect recipients of your gifts.

For more guidance on overcoming the anxiety that causes high blood pressure, you may also want to check out my Hypertension No More guide today. It makes a great gift, too.
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