How Does Stress Really Impact Heart Health?

Stress isn't just in your mind; it can affect your heart. Chronic stress increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and more. Your body's response to stress includes releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can have lasting impacts. Two main types of stress, acute and chronic, both influence your cardiovascular health. Chronic stress, often from major life changes or health concerns, can lead to inflammation in your arteries, raising the risk of heart disease and other conditions. Learning to manage stress is vital. Exercise, a balanced diet, talking to a professional, and setting work-life boundaries can help protect your heart.
stress heart health

Stress is a normal part of the human experience. However, too much stress can have negative impacts on our cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, chronic stress increases your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular issues. In this article, we will explore the impacts of stress on heart health and how to manage stress!

What Happens in the Body When We Experience Stress?

The human body is designed to handle stress in small amounts. When you feel stressed, the adrenal glands, which are located on your kidneys, release two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol is essential for several body systems, including the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Cortisol acts as an alarm system for your brain to halt non-essential functions during a fight-or-flight response. Typically, cortisol levels return to normal once the wave of stress has passed, but prolonged stressors keep cortisol levels high, which puts you at risk for many issues, including heart disease.

Types of Stress

Though there are many sources of stress, there are generally two types of stress: acute and chronic stress. Acute stress is the body’s natural response to something scary, surprising, or daunting. For example, if your friend gives you a jump scare or you have a presentation at work, these events may trigger acute stress. The response is typically short-lived and symptoms go away once the triggering event is over. Acute stress can have a lasting effect on your physical health in some situations. For example, if you experience a life-threatening event or severe trauma, your body will not quickly recover. Additionally, experiencing acute stress frequently can have the same effect on the body as chronic stress.

Alternatively, chronic stress is long-lasting and is typically due to significant life changes, financial concerns, or health concerns. About 34% of Americans say that their stress is completely overwhelming. Those with chronic stress may experience symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, depression, short temper, and unhealthy habits. But how exactly does chronic stress impact the cardiovascular system?

Impact of Stress on Heart Health

Numerous studies have been conducted to reveal that there is an association between mental health and one’s risk for heart disease. When experiencing chronic stress, one’s arteries can become inflamed due to the frequent flood of stress chemicals. This inflammation can lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and even heart attack. The stress you experience is not the only thing that matters. How you handle stress through coping mechanisms can also affect your heart health. Unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse, unhealthy eating, and isolating can compound stress’s negative effect on heart health.

Heart Rate

Your heart rate is intricately linked to your stress levels as well. Adrenaline, one of the chemicals released when you experience stress, causes your heart rate to increase. Prolonged elevated heart rate, called tachycardia, left untreated, can cause heart failure, stroke, and death.

Heart palpitations are also a common symptom of chronic stress. This can feel like your heart is fluttering, pounding, or skipping a beat. Occasional heart palpitations are nothing to be concerned about, but frequent palpitations should be checked by a doctor. 

How to Manage Stress for a Healthy Heart

Managing your stress correctly is the number one way to protect your heart health from stress-related disease and injury. Here are some healthy habits and coping mechanisms to combat stress:

  • Get Regular Exercise. Exercise releases endorphins in the body, which help to regulate mood. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week for optimal heart health. 
  • Eat a Balanced Diet. Eating a balanced diet can not only help you maintain a healthy weight but can reduce your stress. Nutrient-dense foods help your body regulate and reduce inflammation.
  • Talk to a Professional. Sometimes talking through your stressors can help you work through them. 
  • Manage Work-Related Stress. Work can be a major source of stress. Set realistic work-life balance parameters and avoid taking on more than you can handle during work hours.

Stress is not the only factor contributing to your heart health. If you are worried about your heart, contact a medical professional today to seek guidance!

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. We back our quality service with years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!

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Dr. Glen Cheng

A physician-attorney with a dedication to healthcare innovation, informatics, and digital health.

  • Currently spearheads employee health protection and promotion within the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.
  • Trained in residency at Harvard, achieving board certification as a physician; also a licensed patent attorney with experience as FDA regulatory counsel.
  • Co-founded Acceleromics, a consulting firm providing clinical and regulatory guidance to digital health startups.

Erin Davis

 Chief Clinical Officer at Work Health Solutions, certified in Adult-Gerontology (AGNP-C) and Athletic Training (ATC).

  • Oversees clinical operations and ensures high clinical standards across the company’s national field staff.
  • Former Manager of Clinic Operations and Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner at Stanford University Occupational Health Center (SUOHC).
  • Specialized in treating occupational injuries and illnesses, and provided medical surveillance and travel medicine consults at Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Lab.
  • Dedicated to sports and occupational injury treatment and prevention.
  • Assistant Clinical Faculty at UCSF, mentoring students in clinical rotations within the Adult Gerontology and Occupational and Environmental Health Program.
  • Holds leadership roles as Treasurer and President Elect of the California El Camino Real Association of Occupational Health Nurses (CECRAOHN), affiliated with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN).

Dr. Robert Goldsmith

Founder and President of NBS Healthcare Group, with a focus on innovation in healthcare consulting.

  • Previous role as Executive Director for Employee Health at Novartis Services, Inc., leading health services and clinical support.
  • Instrumental in creating an integrated healthcare system at Novartis.
  • Former private practice in internal medicine in Stamford, Connecticut, and Medical Director consultant for GTE Corporation.
  • Transitioned to GE as a Global Medical Director in 2000.
  • Holds a medical degree from Albert Einstein College, an MPH from the University of Connecticut, and completed training at Greenwich Hospital and Yale-New Haven Medical Center.
  • Assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Vagelos School of Medicine, Columbia University.
  • Serves as a team physician for high school athletes in Stamford.
  • Published works on occupational health risks, primary prevention, and exercise-induced asthma.