1 hr ago

Chronic Stress Can Strain the Heart and Raise Cardiovascular Risks

Stress is the body’s response to feeling threatened or overwhelmed.

It releases hormones that make the heart beat faster and pump harder.

This can be helpful briefly, but ongoing stress can keep putting pressure on the heart.

It may also lead to poor sleep, unhealthy eating, smoking, alcohol use or inactivity.

These changes can raise the chances of high blood pressure and heart problems.

In rare cases, sudden severe sadness or distress can temporarily weaken the heart, a condition called broken heart syndrome.

Chest pain, breathlessness or a racing heart should not automatically be blamed on anxiety.

People with ongoing stress or repeated heart-related symptoms should speak with a healthcare professional.

Key facts

Stress hormones: Adrenaline can raise heart rate and make the heart pump harder, while cortisol helps the body respond to stress.
Potential effects: Long-term stress may contribute to high blood pressure, inflammation, poor sleep and unhealthy habits.
Cardiovascular risks: Persistent high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Possible symptoms: Stress can be associated with palpitations, chest discomfort and a racing or pounding heart.
Broken heart syndrome: Takotsubo syndrome, or stress cardiomyopathy, can temporarily weaken the heart after severe emotional distress.
Protective measures: Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, relaxation techniques, social support and healthy eating may help.
Medical caution: New, severe or persistent chest symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than dismissed as stress.

NDTV · 1 hr ago