Stress and Lack of Sleep During Worship Activities: How They Impact Blood Pressure

27 February 2026 3 min read

By: dr. Muhammad Gibran Fauzi Harmani, Sp.JP, FIHA

During moments of worship, event preparations, and gatherings, activities often increase sharply. Sleep time decreases, eating patterns become irregular, coffee consumption rises, and emotions become more easily triggered. No wonder many people start complaining about feeling heavy-headed or experiencing heart palpitations.

The problem is that high blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms. So it’s very important to know the triggers, the correct way to check it, and when to seek help immediately.

Why Can Blood Pressure Rise During Busy Activities?

Some of the most common triggers:

Lack of sleep: The body stays in stress mode
Stress & emotions: Rushing time, traffic jams, event demands, etc.
High-salt foods: Processed foods, salty broth, crackers, snacks
Strong coffee/tea & sugary drinks: Can trigger palpitations in some people
Not drinking enough water: Dehydration can cause dizziness and general discomfort
Forgetting routine medication: Among those with hypertension

Important note: According to WHO, hypertension is blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, and many people experience no symptoms.

Symptoms Often Mistaken for “Just Tired”

Some people may experience:

Heavy head / dizziness
Neck stiffness
Heart palpitations
Easily fatigued
Slightly blurry vision

But remember, symptoms like the above do not always mean hypertension, and hypertension can also occur without any symptoms. The safest way: measure your blood pressure correctly.

How to Measure Blood Pressure Correctly at Home to Avoid “False Alarms”

Follow these simple steps:

Sit calmly for 5 minutes, do not talk yet
Back supported, feet flat on the floor
Cuff on bare upper arm, proper fit
Arm positioned at chest/heart level and supported
Do not talk or scroll your phone during measurement

Practical tip: take 2 measurements with a 1‑minute interval, then record the results.

Safe Steps When Your Blood Pressure Feels High Without Panicking

If you feel “unwell” and suspect your blood pressure is rising:

Stop first, sit calmly for 5–10 minutes
Re‑measure with the correct position
Drink water, especially if you haven’t had enough during the day
Avoid triggers: coffee, cigarettes, energy drinks, salty foods
If you have routine hypertension medication, take it according to your prescribed schedule — do not double the dose on your own

How to Prevent Blood Pressure Spikes During a Busy Schedule

Do these daily:

Maintain adequate sleep (if you can’t sleep long, keep the schedule consistent)
Reduce salt and salty snacks
Limit coffee to 1 cup, don’t stack doses when sleep‑deprived
Take a 10‑minute walk after events
Set a medication alarm (for those who take routine medication)

FAQ

At what level does hypertension begin?
WHO states that hypertension is blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher.

What if blood pressure is high but there are no symptoms?
Repeat the measurement using the correct technique and consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation, because hypertension can occur without symptoms.

When is high blood pressure an emergency?
If it is ≥180/120 with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of stroke, seek emergency care immediately.