Fluctuations in blood pressure can result from daily activities like exercise, but they can also be due to stress, medications, or underlying health issues, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Most trips to the doctor’s office include a blood pressure reading. That’s because your blood pressure can tell your doctor a lot about your health.

Your blood pressure is a reading of the force with which blood is passing through your circulatory system. Blood pressure naturally changes many times a day. Most changes are normal and predictable.

However, blood pressure readings that fluctuate between being too low or too high, also known as labile hypertension, may be a sign of potential issues.

When these spikes and valleys in your blood pressure occur, you may not experience unusual symptoms. However, even though these fluctuations may be brief and fleeting, it’s important to talk with a doctor to find out why they’re occurring.

This article explores what might cause your blood pressure to fluctuate and what you can do to monitor and manage it.

How to check your blood pressure at home

The easiest way to measure your blood pressure at home is to use an automated blood pressure cuff. You can buy these online or at your local pharmacy.

Read this article to learn how to use an automated blood pressure cuff.

A number of issues may cause fluctuating blood pressure, from stress and anxiety to certain medications and underlying health issues.

Stress

Emotional stress and anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Over time, excess stress can take a toll on your cardiovascular system and might lead to permanent blood pressure problems.

White-coat syndrome

White-coat syndrome occurs when worry or stress from a doctor’s appointment causes a temporary spike in blood pressure. The high blood pressure reading doesn’t mean you have hypertension (high blood pressure). At home, you may find your reading is normal.

However, people with white-coat syndrome are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

Medication

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can affect your blood pressure. Some medications, like diuretics and blood pressure pills, are designed to lower your blood pressure.

Others, like cold and allergy medications, can increase your blood pressure.

Activity

Exercise, talking, laughter, and even sex can cause blood pressure fluctuations.

Food and drink

What you eat or drink might affect your blood pressure reading. Foods high in tyramine, a substance found in aged foods, can increase blood pressure. This includes foods that are:

  • fermented
  • pickled
  • brined
  • cured

Drinks with caffeine can boost blood pressure numbers temporarily, too.

Adrenal issues

Your adrenal system is responsible for hormone production. Issues with your adrenal system, such as adrenal insufficiency, can affect the production of the hormone cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. Low hormones may cause your blood pressure to fall.

An overactive adrenal system can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure and hypertension.

Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that can form in the middle of the adrenal glands.

The tumor can cause the adrenal glands to make too much of the hormones norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline), causing sudden bursts of irregular blood pressure readings with normal spans in between.

The following factors may increase the risk of fluctuating blood pressure:

  • high levels of stress
  • anxiety
  • taking blood pressure medications that aren’t effective or don’t last until your next dose
  • tobacco use
  • heavy alcohol use
  • night-shift work

Certain health conditions can also increase the risk of abnormal blood pressure. These include:

Fluctuating blood pressure numbers don’t necessarily need treatment unless an underlying condition or disease is causing them. That’s why treatment for fluctuating blood pressure consists of three main components:

  1. Regularly monitoring your blood pressure: Unusual highs and lows may predict future problems, so monitor your numbers regularly to detect problems early.
  2. Adopting healthy lifestyle strategies: Lifestyle strategies like eating a balanced diet, getting quality sleep and physical activity, and prioritizing stress management can help you avoid blood pressure problems or fluctuations.
  3. Taking medications as prescribed: Your doctor may prescribe medication to help regulate your blood pressure if lifestyle strategies aren’t adequate.

You can help your body manage blood pressure by adopting lifestyle strategies that help you get and stay healthy.

Maintain a moderate weight

Maintain a moderate weight for your height and sex. If you need to lose weight, work with a qualified healthcare professional, like your doctor or a dietitian, to do so safely and sustainably.

Males with a waist over 40 inches and females with a waist over 35 inches are more likely to experience health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which can affect blood pressure.

Exercise regularly

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week. If you’re new to exercise, talk with a doctor before starting any new exercise routines, and start out slowly.

Starting a new routine at a high intensity level could be dangerous, especially in people with unmanaged blood pressure.

Adopt healthy eating habits

Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet to reduce your risk of high blood pressure. This diet emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and low fat dairy.

Eat less sodium

Measure your daily sodium intake so you get an idea of how much you’re eating. Then, focus on staying within the American Heart Association’s daily recommendation of 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.

If you have a hypertension diagnosis, aim for 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

Manage stress

Find healthy ways to manage daily stress. This may include exercise, yoga, breathing techniques, or talk therapy.

Limit caffeine intake if you’re prone to high blood pressure

The effect of caffeine on blood pressure is under debate.

A 2023 study that followed 1,503 people for 4 years found that self-reported regular coffee drinkers had lower blood pressure than those who did not drink coffee.

However, a 2022 study that followed 18,609 participants for 19 years found that people with severely high blood pressure who drank two or more cups of coffee per day could double their risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease.

While more research is needed, what we do know is that caffeine is a stimulant. Drinking too much can temporarily raise your blood pressure.

If you’re looking to avoid fluctuations, limiting your caffeine intake might be a good idea, particularly for those who already have high blood pressure.

Drink alcohol in moderation

A 2021 review of previous research notes an association between chronic alcohol consumption and a high risk of hypertension in both men and women. It also notes that in women, research found the risk of hypertension begins with moderate alcohol consumption.

A 2021 study also found a link between alcohol use and changes in blood pressure and a higher risk of developing hypertension, but only in men.

These findings indicate that the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing hypertension. If you want to prevent spikes in your blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink only in moderation.

Stop using tobacco

If you smoke cigarettes, quitting can keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Talk with your doctor about smoking cessation programs. Joining a support group or quitting with a friend can help you stick to your plan.

Fluctuating blood pressure numbers aren’t always a sign of a bigger health problem, but for some people, it may indicate future issues. These include:

Hypertension

Hypertension doesn’t develop rapidly. It’s often a gradual shift upward, and unusual readings may be the first sign of a problem. Monitor your blood pressure to watch for signs of chronic hypertension.

Heart disease

In one 2015 study, people with blood pressure variations between doctor visits were more likely to develop heart failure and stroke than people who had normal blood pressure numbers.

Dementia

A 2017 study from Japan found that people with blood pressure fluctuations were two times more likely to develop dementia than people with no blood pressure fluctuations.

What is fluctuating blood pressure a symptom of?

Fluctuating blood pressure, also called labile hypertension, may occur from a number of issues, including physical exercise, stress and anxiety, certain medications, and underlying health issues.

Talk with a doctor if you believe you have this condition, particularly if your fluctuations are rising above or below normal ranges.

How much blood pressure fluctuation is normal?

According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure fluctuations within a certain range are considered normal.

For example, during non-active periods, a normal range of systolic (upper) blood pressure is anything less than 120 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure that moves into the 120 to 129 mm Hg range is considered elevated.

A normal diastolic (lower) number during non-active periods is typically less than 80 mm Hg, but it can fluctuate between 80 and 89 mm Hg, which is considered stage 1 high blood pressure.

These numbers may increase during active or stressful periods, but there is no definitive range of fluctuation that applies to everyone.

Talk with a doctor if you find your blood pressure fluctuating between higher or lower readings.

How do you calm down a blood pressure spike?

There are certain things you can do to lower a sudden spike in blood pressure. These include deep breathing exercises, stress reduction activities like meditation or yoga, drinking water, lying down, and taking a cold shower.

A doctor can help you determine what you can do to lower your blood pressure more permanently.

Can worrying about blood pressure make it worse?

Stress and anxiety may cause sudden and temporary rises in blood pressure. So, yes, worrying about your blood pressure can make it worse, especially if you’re experiencing high levels of stress every day.

Fluctuations in blood pressure are often normal and predictable. Everyday activities like exercise, walking, and talking can affect your blood pressure, causing them to rise and fall.

However, these changes can also be a sign of possible problems, particularly if the fluctuations rise and fall above and below normal levels.

It’s important to monitor your blood pressure fluctuations and work with a doctor to avoid possible complications or future problems.

If you’re experiencing blood pressure fluctuations that seem unusual, keep a log of your readings and make an appointment to visit a doctor. A doctor can work with you to determine what’s going on and create a plan to manage your blood pressure.