The Mind-Body Connection

Stress, Mental Health, and Hypertension.

- Dr. Selvabharathi A.

The age-old belief that the mind and body are deeply connected has gained robust scientific backing in recent decades—especially when it comes to stress, mental health, and cardiovascular conditions like hypertension. Increasingly, researchers and healthcare professionals are uncovering how psychological stress and poor mental health contribute to the development and progression of high blood pressure.

Stress triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause the heart to beat faster and blood vessels to narrow, raising blood pressure. While the body normally returns to baseline once the stress passes, chronic stress can lead to persistently elevated blood pressure levels, contributing to long-term hypertension.