XYZ is a 38-year-old male who works in the IT industry in Bengaluru. He doesn’t have any comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or family history. He is neither a smoker nor consumes any alcohol. However, he works almost 12-14 hours per day and sleeps for less than 5 hours. The last year has been very hectic for him given the job change. His recent health checkup showed elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Such instances are not uncommon due to the rising stress levels. This example shared by Dr Sudhakar Rao, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, highlights the impact of stress on heart health. It can have harmful effects on your body, involving the heart and cardiovascular system.
Impact Of Stress On Heart Health
Dr Rao listed the impact of stress on heart health as follows:
Top Stories
-1751527287915.png)
-1751352905978.jpg)
- Stress may cause cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease (blockages in the heart), stroke or cerebrovascular accident, or mortality
- It can have an adaptive response by increasing the levels of cortisol and adrenaline
- It can affect the heart and cardiovascular system by involving the central nervous system mainly the amygdala.
- It can also cause inflammation around arteries and increase the levels of C-reactive protein.
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, even little stress can lead to cardiac issues such as inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. This is a disorder where there is insufficient blood or oxygen reaching the heart. Furthermore, prolonged stress may modify the blood clotting process. This raises the blood's stickiness and stroke risk.
Also Read: From Dizziness To Chronic Cough: Expert Lists Signs Of Unhealthy Heart You Should Watch Out For
How Does Stress Increase Heart Diseases
High Blood Pressure
“Stress can cause high blood pressure, which can damage your heart and blood vessels over time, thereby increasing the chances of having a future heart attack or stroke. This damage is due to hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine”, informed Dr Rao.
Increasing Glucose Levels In Blood
“Stress can cause the increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus which causes the glucose in our body to build up and indirectly damages the heart and blood vessels”, said Dr Rao. This is because the hormones involved in stress work in a way opposite to insulin, thereby increasing glucose levels in the blood.
Increase Cholesterol Levels
Stress can also cause an increase in lipid levels like total cholesterol, triglyceride, and bad cholesterol, which is the low-density lipoprotein, which in turn affects the heart and the blood vessels.
Negatively Impacts Lifestyle
Stress affects our lifestyle behaviour so a patient with stress is more likely to reduce his physical activity, change eating habits such as overeating, increase alcohol consumption, smoking, and not take medications, all of which in turn affect the heart.
Stress Cardiomyopathy
Stress can also affect the muscles of the heart by a process known as stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. “A person with an increased level of stress can have a decreased pumping of the heart with a normal coronary artery without having any blockage in the artery”, added Dr Rao.
Expert Tips To Manage Stress
Dr Rao listed the following measures to manage your stress levels:
- You should engage in regular exercise 30 minutes a day for at least 150 minutes per week.
- Try various relaxation exercises, yoga, swimming, pranayama, tai chi and aromatherapies.
- You can also do something which you enjoy, like being involved in various hobbies, such as listening to music, cooking, dancing, etc.
- You should aim for getting enough sleep i.e. minimum of 7-8 hours.
- If you feel that you are not doing good with your mental health, always seek the help of a psychologist or counsellor. It’s always good to connect with family or friends to destress yourself.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you notice any symptoms of heart problems to avoid complications.]