When I’m away from my office, my blood pressure is perfectly normal. But it never fails: Once I get back to the office, I hear the phone ringing and I see the stacks and stacks of paper, and before you know it, I’m back on blood pressure medication again. Seeing patients doesn’t stress me, but the mountain of bureaucratic paperwork involved is my own personal hot-button issue.

The relationship between stress and hypertension is well established because it’s hardwired in our biology. When we are under stress (real or perceived), our body gets ready to fight or to flee.

To do either, we need to marshal our energy reserves. Our bodies release hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol (the same chemicals that some hypertension drugs block), so that our heart speeds up and blood pressure mounts.

Theoretically, when the threat subsides, the hormones disperse. But it doesn’t always work that way. If we are beset with worries, we remain in a state of chronic stress, with too-high levels of these chemicals bubbling in the bloodstream.

Stress, then, is unique to each person. If you are under stress, the reasons are often obvious. If not, you may need to talk to your doctor, a counselor, or to your pastor — anyone who can help you sort through the issues that are causing you stress.

Then embark on a program to reduce your stress. Too many people turn to food, cigarettes, or alcohol when they are under stress. But those things only ratchet up blood pressure even more.

Exercise is a wonderful stress-buster along with lowering blood pressure in its own right. Other stress-busters include engaging in a hobby or favorite pastime, taking a low-stress vacation (if money is an issue, look for free events in your area), volunteering for a cause, or building relationships with people in your community or church.

Prayer is also the key to well-being for many of us, and an excellent way to de-stress your life. Even if you have viewed high blood pressure as a daunting challenge, it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, we have an arsenal of medications available to deal with it.

In addition, by embracing a healthy lifestyle you can eliminate the need for these drugs altogether. Just as with heart disease, you can beat high blood pressure.