Most experts agree that stress plays a role in cardiac health, but the exact link between stress and heart disease isn’t clear. Here are some of the facts when it comes to stress and heart disease.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, unmanaged stress can cause negative health consequences including high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, damage to arteries, higher cholesterol, and a weakened immune system.
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What makes stress even more dangerous is that people often turn to harmful habits to deal with the unpleasant feelings associated with it. Cigarette smoking, overeating, use of certain medications, and drinking are all behaviors that can contribute to heart disease and stroke.
Researchers recognize that stress combines with other lifestyle choices and decisions to up the risks for heart patients, but they are looking into whether stress on its own is a risk factor.
Experts at Medicinenet.com suggest stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol can be damaging to the body at high levels and some studies have shown that stress itself affects the blood’s ability to clot, which is a risk factor for heart attacks.
Whether stress is a risk factor on its own merit or a contributing factor,
the American Heart Association says you need to manage stress as an important strategy for keeping heart disease in check. This becomes especially important after a heart attack or stroke to prevent a second occurrence.
Effective stress management techniques include regular exercise, a positive attitude, not smoking, drinking alcohol or consuming too much caffeine, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet. Experts do not recommend tranquilizers for heart patients as a means to manage stress, instead suggesting other relaxation or stress management techniques.
This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.
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