A recent study from researchers at the University of Montana in the United States, published in the American Journal of Physiology, reveals that individuals who experience anxiety tend to have higher resting blood pressure and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This finding adds a new layer to our understanding of how anxiety interacts with bodily responses and cardiovascular signals (attribution: University of Montana researchers, American Journal of Physiology).
The study enrolled 88 adults aged 18 to 47 who were not overweight, did not smoke, were free from medications, and did not have known medical conditions. Each participant underwent a comprehensive anxiety assessment alongside a series of autonomic tests that measured blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). The goal was to examine whether anxiety correlates with measurable changes in autonomic function under resting conditions and whether these changes align with hypertension risk patterns observed in broader populations (attribution: research team, University of Montana).
Results showed a clear association: anxiety levels were linked to both higher resting blood pressure and elevated MSNA. In other words, individuals who reported greater anxiety also tended to exhibit signs of heightened sympathetic nerve activity along with increased vascular pressure, even in the absence of diagnosed anxiety disorders in all cases. The researchers emphasize that this pattern suggests anxiety may contribute to cardiovascular strain through autonomic pathways, expanding the scope of factors linked to blood pressure regulation beyond clinical anxiety disorders alone (attribution: study authors).
As explained by the investigators, the implication is that anxiety and its physiological correlates can influence cardiovascular risk in people who appear healthy. This challenges the assumption that elevated blood pressure and sympathetic activation are limited to those with formal anxiety diagnoses and highlights the broader impact of emotional states on bodily functions. Ongoing research aims to clarify the mechanisms driving this relationship and to explore how lifestyle factors, stress management, and early intervention might mitigate potential health effects associated with anxiety-related autonomic changes (attribution: research team, University of Montana).
Looking ahead, the authors plan to extend their work to larger and more diverse populations to determine whether these associations persist across different ages, body types, and health backgrounds. They also intend to investigate potential long-term consequences of sustained anxiety-related autonomic activity and whether targeted strategies to reduce anxiety could favorably alter cardiovascular indicators over time. By continuing to map the connections between mental states and physiological responses, the researchers hope to provide clearer guidance for clinicians, patients, and public health practitioners on how emotional well-being intersects with heart health (attribution: study authors, University of Montana).