Stress and heart health

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Having too much stress and prolonged stress has negative effects on heart function. The risk of heart disease increases if you are constantly under stress and do not manage it well: high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeat. So how does stress affect the heart?

1. The relationship between stress and health

Stress itself is a health problem. This condition raises blood pressure and negatively affects the body when you are constantly exposed to stress hormones. Studies have also linked stress to changes in the way blood clots make a heart attack more likely.
According to experts, how you handle stress is also important. If you react to it in unhealthy ways, such as smoking, overeating, or not exercising, that makes matters worse. On the other hand, if you exercise, connect with people, and find meaning in spite of stress, it will make a difference in your emotions and body.
Stress causes all sorts of minor physical discomforts like sweating in the hands and stomach ache. But it can also increase your risk of serious heart conditions.
The point of concern is that stress can arise in many different situations, from relationships to work to sporting events. All of those factors can affect your heart health.

2. How do I know if I have too much stress?

Researchers still don't know how long the health effects of that stress might last.
In a recent study, when researchers followed participants for more than 18 years, women going through two or more divorces had a similar increased risk of heart attack as in smokers or those with diabetes. diabetes .
Research shows a higher risk of heart attack in men who have been divorced more than once. Although men see health benefits from remarriage, women do not. Even decades after a divorce, relationship stress can have a devastating effect on a woman's health.
Work-related stress can also harm your heart. Research has found that people who are more worried about losing their job have an almost 20% higher risk of heart disease.
But people who feel happy in their jobs may also suffer from chronic stress because of the competitive nature of work or they are trying to balance work-family life.
Surprisingly, even stress related to pleasurable events can increase the risk of a heart attack. During a World Cup soccer event, heart attacks doubled in a German city during the nation's team days.

3. How does stress affect the heart?

Stress can increase inflammation in the body, which in turn is linked to factors that can damage your heart such as high blood pressure and reduced good HDL cholesterol. In addition, chronic stress can also affect heart function in an indirect way. When you're anxious, you tend to not sleep well. You're also less likely to exercise, make healthy food choices, or watch your weight. All of these lifestyle changes can put your heart health at risk.
Stress can contribute to poor health behaviors associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, such as:
Smoking Eating too much Lack of physical activity Unhealthy diet Excess weight Do not take prescribed medications Stress can cause conditions such as:
Headaches Back stress Stomach pain Consume your energy Destroys your sleep Makes you feel irritable, absent-minded or out of control A stressful situation sets in motion a chain of events. Specifically, the body releases adrenaline - a hormone that temporarily causes your breathing and heart rate to increase and your blood pressure to increase as well.
Chronic stress is when constant stress puts the body in a high state continuously for days or weeks at a time. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

4. Manage stress - protect heart health

If you are struggling with any kind of stress, be aware that it can have disastrous consequences. The following steps can help you protect your heart during times of stress:
Get expert advice : You should visit your doctor to get accurate advice on the cause and how to manage it. stress. This is especially important if you have other risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity or high blood pressure. Use stress as a motivator: Experts recommend turning stress into an excuse to exercise instead of using it as an excuse to avoid physical activity. When you have a stressful day, taking a break and going for a walk with friends can help clear your mind of stress. Change what you can do to reduce stress: Identify sources of stress in your life and find ways to reduce - manage them. A health care professional can help you find ways to manage stress. Accept that there are some things you cannot control. Before you decide to do something, consider whether you can actually do it. You can say "no" to requests that add stress to your life. Stay in touch with the people you love. Take some time to relax each day. You can read, listen to music, meditate, pray, practice yoga or tai chi, journal, or reflect on the good things in your life. Maintain the habit of positive thinking. Regular exercise can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Get enough sleep: Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Finding an enjoyable hobby can be enjoyable and keep you away from negative thoughts or worries.

Some people have trouble with stress because they are depressed. If you experience this, seek help from your doctor or counselor. Depression is linked to heart disease and it can be treated.
If you find it difficult to change the way you handle stress, take a stress management class, read a book on stress management, or sign up for a few sessions with a therapist. It's an investment in your health and quality of life, both now and in the years to come.
Accepting things in a serene way in the face of life's challenges can help improve your perception of stress and lead to better quality of life and heart health.

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Reference source: webmd.com; healthline.com