Effects of Stress on Blood Pressure: A Literature Review
Eugenia Richita Oei1, Dewi Ratna Sari2*, Hayuris Kinandita Setiawan3, Damba Bestari4,5
Abstract
Background: Stress disrupts homeostasis, triggering adaptive responses that can become maladaptive with prolonged exposure, leading to conditions like hypertension. Chronic stress elevates sympathoadrenal activity and stress hormones, contributing to vascular tone and hypertension, a major global health concern. In Indonesia, hypertension prevalence rose to 34.1% in 2018, particularly among young adults. Objective: This review explores stress effects and mechanisms linking stress to blood pressure. Method: Collecting the data and information from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect with a total of 22 pieces of literature using keywords like “effects”, “stress”, and “blood pressure”. Result: The review highlights that distress and sustress disrupt homeostasis, adversely affecting blood pressure. Acute stress temporarily raises blood pressure through the “fight or flight” response involving the sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis, while chronic stress causes sustained hypertension via elevated cortisol, inflammation, and circadian disruption. Gender differences, with women showing oxytocin-mediated buffering and men’s heightened sympathoadrenal reactivity, underscore the need for effective stress management to reduce cardiovascular risks.
Keywords
blood pressure; effect; stress.
Cite This Article
Oei, E. R., Sari, D. R., Setiawan, H. K., Bestari, D. (2025). Effects of Stress on Blood Pressure: A Literature Review. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 6| Issue 1: Jan-Feb 2025, Pages 24-28, URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Volume6-Issue1-Jan-Feb-No.817-24-28.pdf
Volume 6 | Issue 1: Jan – Feb 2025
