Heart Disease and Stress
Learn to Relax and Sleep Like a Baby
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Dennis Lee, MD
Think about how easy it is for a baby or small child to
fall asleep. We're born with the instinct to relax and sleep when our bodies or
minds need a break. Over the years, it becomes necessary to control and even
suppress these natural urges to rest, since we must remain alert as we attend
school, learn professions, go to work, or care for a family. Many people spend
years conditioning themselves to perform well despite feelings of tiredness. While no
one would argue that suppressing tiredness can be a necessary skill, it can
impair our ability to actually "let go" and relax when we do find the time.
Relaxation is also a uniquely individual activity.
Napping or just doing nothing might be your idea of relaxation, but this amount
of inactivity might drive someone else crazy. Others may relax by participating
in sports or undertaking physical challenges, but some people would find these
activities stressful. Whatever your idea of relaxation, the following tips can help you
retrain and regain some of those lost relaxation skills...
Heart disease and stress introduction
Are stress and heart disease related? Does stress increase the risk of heart disease? Stress is a normal part of life. But if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats.
How Does Stress Increase the Risk for Heart Disease?
Medical researchers aren't sure exactly how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors (such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure) worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.
If stress itself is a risk factor for heart disease, it could be because chronic stress exposes your body to unhealthy, persistently elevated levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Studies also link stress to changes in the way blood clots, which increases the risk of heart attack.
Does Stress Affect Everyone the Same?
No. People respond in different ways to events and situations. One person may find an event joyful and gratifying, but another person may find the same event miserable and frustrating. Sometimes, people may handle stress in ways that make bad situations worse by reacting with feelings of anger, guilt, fear, hostility, anxiety, and moodiness. Others may face life's challenges with ease.
What Causes Stress?
Stress can be caused by a physical or emotional change, or a change in your environment that requires you to adjust or respond. Things that make you feel stressed are called "stressors."
Stressors can be minor hassles, major lifestyle changes, or a combination of both. Being able to identify stressors in your life and releasing the tension they cause are the keys to managing stress.
Below are some common stressors that can affect people at all stages of life.
- Illness, either personal or of a family member or friend.
- Death of a friend or loved one.
- Problems in a personal relationship.
- Work overload.
- Starting a new job.
- Unemployment.
- Retirement.
- Pregnancy.
- Crowds.
- Relocation.
- Daily hassles.
- Legal problems.
- Financial concerns.
- Perfectionism.
Next: What are the warning signs of stress? »
- Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
- Stress - Read about stress symptoms, signs, causes and treatment. Get information on stress management tips, the effects on the body and stress types (teen, job, PTSD).
- Heart Attack - Overview on heart attack (myocardial infarction) and heart attack symptoms including jaw pain, headache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, sweating, and more.
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