What impact does stress have on high blood pressure? When should I be concerned?
The events of the past year and a half have had a widespread impact on mental health. Knowing that mind and body are connected, it’s no surprise that stress has led to an increase in physical symptoms and development and worsening of chronic conditions. The focus on the pandemic, paired with lockdowns, has also resulted in patients delaying or avoiding seeking care. If you fall in that category, now is the time to prioritize primary care and catch up on preventive screenings and annual visits.
In terms of hypertension specifically, this condition occurs when the force of the blood pushing on blood vessel walls is too strong. This, in turn, makes the heart pump harder and places a great deal of strain on the arteries. When an individual encounters stress, it triggers the “fight or flight” response. Ideally, these bursts of stress pass and the body returns to a normal state after a short period. But if stress is constant and ongoing (as it has been for most of us during the COVID-19 era), it can create chronic conditions such as hypertension. Unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking, alcohol and a poor diet compound the problem.
If high blood pressure goes untreated, it can lead to strokes and heart disease. Long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can also result in kidney failure, vision complications, dementia, sexual dysfunction and peripheral artery disease. Checking blood pressure properly at home and following up with a physician to have it treated and controlled can decrease the risk of these medical outcomes. We’re also here to help. Our board-certified physicians answer any questions you may have, order labs and prescriptions and can work with your in-person provider as you manage chronic conditions like hypertension, asthma or diabetes.
Hypertension is more common in older, obese and diabetic adults. Studies show that those with high blood pressure are at increased risk of developing severe illness and are more likely to die from COVID-19. That’s all the more reason to get vaccinated and stay on top of this potential or already diagnosed condition.
Green light: Go. Red light: No.
Whether it’s a tummy ache, a cough or a bad case of the jitters, knowing whether or not to keep your child home was always a tough call, made even more complicated in the COVID-19 era. Dr. Kharbat, mother and physician, weighs in on this tricky topic and offers some insight toward making the most informed and responsible decision.
“Before the pandemic, parents were more relaxed about sending kids to school as long as they didn’t have a fever,” says Dr. Kharbat. “But since absence of a fever doesn’t apply to COVID-19, that’s no longer the case. Any COVID-19 symptom—and only one symptom—can result in a contagious period lasting about 10 days.”
Other reasons for keeping a child home include pink eye (which is usually viral), but if it’s bacterial, your child may go back to school after 24 hours of antibiotics, as long as there is no fever. And since most rashes are viral and could be contagious, you should keep your child home until consulting with a doctor. If your child suffers from allergies, eczema or irritable bowel syndrome and their symptoms are managed by medication and are typical for that time of the year, then it’s probably safe to let them go to school.
“What I love about my job as a 98point6 physician is knowing I am an expert on-hand for parents like me who need that extra dose of reassurance in their day to day,” says Dr. Kharbat. “Our doctors can work in unison with your in-person pediatrician to manage chronic conditions like allergies or IBS more effectively; we are also available 24/7 to help you assess any symptom and help make the right call.”
Remember that each school and child care center will have its own policies regarding symptoms, illnesses and keeping kids home, so be sure to check the most current recommendations.
Due to the months of isolation and masks, we’re all likely to have less immunity to viruses and colds this year—and may be more likely to get sick as we rebuild natural protection. This is because each time we are exposed to a virus, our immune system builds a memory of that virus and protects us when re-exposed. Limited exposure, therefore, means a measure of decreased immunity. Try these tips from Dr. Kharbat to help enhance immune function.
Stick to the schedule. Since the pandemic, there’s been a marked decline in routine childhood vaccinations, which could lead to a spike in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. Keep your kids safe; make sure they’re up to date on all their shots.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a form of depression that strikes certain individuals in the fall and winter months when days grow shorter and hours of sunlight decrease. The toughest months for Americans with SAD are January and February but there are some individuals who experience SAD in the summer months who struggle with symptoms such as sleep loss and decreased appetite.
SAD is a biochemical imbalance triggered by fewer hours of daylight. When summer turns to fall, some individuals experience a shift in their internal clock that throws them off-course. The farther from the equator one lives, the greater the likelihood of developing this disorder.
Women are more likely to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder than men but up to 5% of the U.S. population experiences some form of it. SAD also tends to run in families and is more common in those with mental illness or disorders, which may include eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety or panic disorders.
The most common signs of SAD include:
Need help understanding SAD or concerned you might be suffering from it? Here are some questions and thought-starters for your next visit with a 98point6 physician.
We’re serious about our commitment to providing you with the most up-to-date, credible information so you can feel empowered in your decision-making—and social sharing. This resource was put together with guidance from 98point6 board-certified physicians, as well as the latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To learn more, visit:
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/seasonal-affective-disorderhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9894438/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.htmlhttps://gumc.georgetown.edu/news-release/sunlight-offers-surprise-benefit-it-energizes-infection-fighting-t-cells/https://www.nature.com/articles/nri2759https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/work-hour-training-for-nurses/longhours/mod2/05.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7185226/
Q: I hear some COVID-19 vaccines are much more effective than others. Can I choose which one I get?
Q: My child can’t return to daycare unless he recovers from bronchitis, but the pediatrician won’t prescribe antibiotics. How do we treat it?
Q: The circumstances around COVID-19 have piqued my interest around virtual care for myself and my family. How can I be confident we are getting the same quality experience as an in-person visit?
Whether your child has a fever or you’re worried about that dizziness you’ve been feeling, 98point6 is available 24/7 to you and your eligible family members ages 1 and older. With access to on-demand primary care via a mobile app, care is always at your fingertips.