Cause 5. Stress: A Hidden Enemy
Sailing deeper into the heart disease territory, we confront a hidden but significant foe – stress. While we all experience stress in our lives, chronic, unmanaged stress can wreak havoc on heart health.
The physiological response to stress often results in increased heart rate and blood pressure. While these are normal responses, persistent high blood pressure and heart rate due to chronic stress can strain the heart and potentially lead to heart disease.
Stress also influences behavior, which indirectly affects heart health. People under stress may resort to unhealthy habits such as smoking, overeating, or excessive alcohol consumption. These behaviors can increase heart disease risk.
Furthermore, stress can lead to conditions like depression and anxiety, which have been linked to heart disease. Chronic stress may also cause inflammation in your body, which can damage your blood vessels and lead to heart disease.
In essence, while stress is an unavoidable part of life, chronic, unmanaged stress can have serious implications for heart health, emphasizing the need for effective stress management. (5)
