Blood Pressure & Mental Health: What Every Patient Should Know 🩺💖

Sheenie Ambardar, MD is a Los Angeles-based Integrative Psychiatrist with 16+ years of experience in Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Ambardar sees patients throughout California and New York via telehealth and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adult men and women with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, OCD, Panic Disorder, Binge-Eating Disorder, and a host of other common mental health concerns.

Are you experiencing any of these conditions? Concierge Integrative Psychiatry may be the solution you need. At The Happiness Psychiatrist®, we address the root causes of these issues—and many more—as well as give you the resources to build a fuller, happier life.

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Blood Pressure and Mental Health: Why Should You Care?

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Your blood pressure is more than just a number—it's a window into your overall health!

✅ Normal Blood Pressure is Less Than 120/80 mmHg

⚠️ Hypertension is 130/80 mmHg or higher

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Did you Know that Psychiatric Medications can Sometimes Raise Blood Pressure? ✍🏼

Keeping track of your blood pressure isn’t just important for your physical health—it can also make a big difference in managing your mental well-being.

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Medications That May Affect Blood Pressure 💊

Stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Vyvanse): Commonly used for ADHD

SNRIs (e.g., Effexor, Cymbalta): Often prescribed for anxiety or depression

Atypical Antipsychotics (e.g., Abilify, Zyprexa): Used for mood disorders or psychosis

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Why It Matters: 💗

🧠 The Mind-Body Connection: Elevated blood pressure can cause headaches, fatigue, and mimic anxiety symptoms.

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💊 Medication Monitoring: Checking blood pressure regularly ensures your treatment plan stays safe and effective.

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What You Can Do:

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Buy an at-home BP cuff—they’re affordable and easy to use. This is the blood pressure cuff I recommend to my patients!

‍Not sure how to use it? Ask your psychiatrist to show you! They’ll walk you through it.

‍Track your BP monthly (or every 2 weeks) and bring your readings into your appointments for more personalized care.

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‍Lifestyle Adjustments for High Blood Pressure:

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Reducing Sodium Intake: Try to avoid overly salty foods, processed snacks, and canned goods.

Hydrate: Drink water daily to help maintain proper circulation.

Deep Breathing or Relaxation Techniques: Practice meditation or diaphragmatic breathing to reduce stress, which can temporarily raise blood pressure.

Avoid Dietary Stimulants: Limit caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, as they can all increase blood pressure.

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‍Long Term Changes for High Blood Pressure:

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Dietary Changes: Consider following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Regular Exercise: Try to engage in moderate physical activity, such as walking or yoga, for 30 minutes most days of the week.

Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly lower blood pressure if you're overweight.

Sleep Hygiene: Try to get at least 7–8 hours of restful sleep per night, as poor sleep can elevate blood pressure.

‍Consider Magnesium: Magnesium helps relax and widen blood vessels (a process called vasodilation), which reduces resistance to blood flow and can help lower blood pressure. A nightly dosage of 300–500 mg of Magnesium can help lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure over time.

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