The Stressed-Out Heart

Do you often feel burnt out? Everyone faces mental stress to some extent each day. Rush-hour traffic, anger, worry, frustration, deadlines, sour relationships, pressure -- all are part of urban life.

Some amount of stress can surely keep you motivated although excessive pressure may result in stress. Research studies have shown that mental stress is worse than physical stress as it can adversely influence your cardiovascular system and affect your heart health. The answer to this is avoiding stress, which is an impossible task. However, stress can be managed by adopting certain lifestyle changes including factors that can reduce stress in your daily routine...

A Healthy Heart
Physical stress brings on physical exertion, which puts demands on the heart. Physical stress is good for the heart as long it is normal. For those with underlying heart disease, physical stress can be dangerous. This is because exercise can put demands on the heart muscles that the diseased coronary arteries cannot meet.

The heart becomes ischemic or starved for oxygen causing angina or chest pain or a heart attack. Can stressors lead to heart damage in individuals who have no heart disease? Perhaps in youngsters the cumulative effects may be minimal. However, there are people who are predisposed to heart disease and stress aggravates the situation. Studies have reported that mental stress can result in surges in the heart rate and blood pressure.

Physical symptoms of stress include a pounding heart and heavy breathing. Stress causes an adrenaline rush with negative emotions such as fear or anger. It is important here how you cope with stressful situations. There are some people who are forever angry and who habitually react to stress this way feeding in physically harmful emotions.

Studies have proved that individuals with Type A personalities who are impatient, hostile, competitive or perfectionists are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease than those with Type B personalities who are a bit laid-back and patient. These are people who quickly come out of the situation feeling relaxed and yet there are others who brood and remain hostile for long.

Chronic Stress & Heart Health
Chronic stress may double your heart risk; it exposes your body to constant high levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Stressful situations are known to reduce the blood flow to the heart, thus increasing the risk of heart attack. And the situation worsens in individuals who already suffer from coronary artery disease. According to a study, stressed people did not respond as well to heart medications to angina or chest pain as compared to others. The American Heart Association, advises on stress reduction and stress management to lessen the strain on your heart.

Signs You're Stressed

• Worried and anxious, getting palpitations
• Feel tired all the time 
• Frequent headache 
• Backache 
• Lack of sleep, insomnia 
• Rise in blood pressure 
• Get irritated at small things 
• Feel like crying 
• Poor work performance

Tips to Relax Yourself

• Eat right
• Do regular exercise 
• Get a massage -- that helps release tension 
• Prioritize and set realistic goals 
• Learn to say "No" 
• When worried, look for distractions 
• Control your anger. Go easy on criticisms. Let go 
• Do not isolate yourself. Talk it out 
• Stop smoking 
• Meditate.