Oh my, you've just described me!!. Stress can definately cause an increase in blood pressure and in my case, I've been under a great deal of stress lately -plus- I suffer from anxiety/panic too. I take Atenolol for my high BP and Xanax for my anxiety and panic attacks. Stress over time can increase the risk of having a panic attack as well as the severity of them. I get the tingling, adrenilin "rushes", flushing, prickling sensation, lump-in-throat and tight-throat feeling too and sometimes you swear you are going to die at any second. I'm not sure exactly how bad your attacks are but I know I had a HORRIBLE panic/anxiety attack just this evening and it was one of the most terrifying ordeals I have been through in a long time. Yes, I have the muscle tension (ie; stiff/tingling neck) myself so I can definately relate!!:-).

((((((((HUGS2U))))))))