Stress and Heart Disease

Are stress and heart disease related? Does stress increase the risk of coronary heart disease? Stress can lead to hypertension, chest pains and increased risk of heart disease.

You just need to read the front page of the local newspaper or turn on CNN to know that stress is a part of life.

Some stress can be good for you – it motivates you and pushes you to your potential.

This type of stress has served our species well - enabling our ancestors to fight or flee from the jaws of the saber-tooth tiger thanks to the boost of adrenaline that stopped him being today's meal.

But today’s chronic stress can be unrelenting. Whether it is the long commute to work, the pressure of a deadline or overwhelming responsibilities having the stress response constantly activated can sap your energy.

...also stress and heart disease are also related!

Stress and heart disease are related in a number of ways. Stress increases blood pressure, making the heart work harder and also increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

It is common knowledge that those who have more stress in their lives have more chance of coronary heart disease. But is this common knowledge correct? And if it is correct, how is stress and heart disease related?

Stress and heart disease

Did you know that there are more heart attacks on Monday than on Friday? Job stress and heart disease are related.

Those who work in more stressful jobs also have a higher chance of heart disease than their fellow workers in less stressful jobs.

In a study on job stress and heart disease, published in the prestigious British Medical Journal a sample of 10,308 workers were examined for 15 years. The study found that chronic work stress was associated with coronary heart disease.¹

Medical researchers suggest that stress and heart disease are related in a number of ways.

1. Stress can increase blood pressure causing the heart to work harder
2. Stress can change the blood chemistry – resulting in more cholesterol in the blood, and
3. Stress can lead to more unhealthy behaviors (e.g. smoking and less exercise) - which is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Effects of stress: Increased blood pressure and hypertension

When the fight or flight response is activated the body moves blood away from organs to the muscles in preparation to fight or flee from the stress.

To do this, the blood pumps more oxygen rich blood to the muscles in preparation for movement. This increases blood pressure and hypertension.

At the same time, stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are released into the blood stream which cause the heart to pump harder – further increasing blood pressure and hypertension.

Stress and heart disease – change in the blood chemistry

One of the stress hormones released is cortisol. When the stress response is activated, cortisol increases the fatty acids in the blood.

This increased cholesterol in the blood increases the body’s ability to heal damaged tissue but can become a major problem when this cholesterol forms on the walls of arteries.

As cholesterol forms on the walls of the arteries there is less room for the blood to get through.

At the same time, the stress hormones cause the blood vessels to constrict - further increasing blood pressure more.

As you experience stress - your heard their heart pumps more blood - further increasing plaque build up in the same spot.

This plaque build up reduces the ability of the blood to flow freely through the arteries – further increasing blood pressure and making it harder for the heart to do its work

How can I cope with stress

While medical researchers are not completely sure of the exact link between stress and heart disease - it is probably time to take some precautionary measures against stress.

Stress management techniques can help you to take control of stress and improve your ability to cope with the effects of stress.

Understand your stress. Identifying your signs of stress and your main causes of stress can help you to put in place the appropriate stress management techniques. Download a stress diary today that gives you an objective baseline of your stress levels so that you can set achievable stress management goals.

Relaxation techniques. When stressed your body activates the stress response which manifests in a number of symptoms of stress. Relaxation techniques can help you to counter the effects of stress on body and mind. Relaxation exercises can activate the relaxation response which can short circuit the stress response.

Lifestyle changes and healthy habits. Often when stressed we can turn to comfort foods that can reduce our ability to cope with stress. By adopting a healthy balanced diet you can ensure that you get the right stress nutrition and counter the effects of stress and minimize your risks of heart disease.

Exercise reduces stress. Exercise relaxes the muscles and uses up the accumulated stress products. There are a number of ways that exercise reduces stress. But the benefits of exercise extend beyond stress reduction to reduced obesity and better health - factors that reduce the incidence of heart disease.

Related Articles on Stress and Health

Migraine Headache Relief: Cure Migraines without Medication

Stress and the Immune System: Boost your Immune System with Stress Busters

What is TMJ: The Impact of Stress on TMJ

Stress Weight Gain: Can Stress Make You Fat?

Stress and Hair Loss: Can Stress Make You Bald?

Intestinal Gas: Stress and Intestinal Gas

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Stress and IBS

¹Chandola, T., Brunner, E., Marmot, M. Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: prospective study. British Medical Journal. January 20, 2006.