How your stress puts strain on your heart
In this modern life, stress is inevitable, but managing it properly is crucial for your health, including the health of your heart. Stress has short and long-term effects on heart health.
Short-term effects include:
- Increased heart rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Chest pain
Long-term effects include:
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
- Higher risk of heart disease
- Unhealthy coping
- mechanisms –
Stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating, smoking, drinking alcohol, or lack of exercise, all of which negatively impact heart health.
But there are ways to manage stress to alleviate pressure on your nervous system. These practical measures will bolster your physical health and reduce the stress hormones that negatively impact your heart.
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress hormones.
- Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.
- Maintain social connections for emotional support.
- Get enough sleep to help regulate stress responses.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet to reduce inflammation and blood pressure.
If stress is causing significant heart-related symptoms, it’s best to consult a doctor. A quick onset of specific symptoms like severe or prolonged chest pain (especially with pain in the arm, jaw, or back); shortness of breath; fainting or severe dizziness; rapid, irregular, pounding heartbeat; cold sweats or nausea should be treated immediately.
Dr. Bryen A Bell is a local wellness expert serving families and athletes across the West Coast for over 20 years. He is an award-winning Clinic Director of True Potential Chiropractic and TPC Regenerative Health. Call 503.574.4872 or visit tpcportland.com.
