Taking care of your heart health includes various steps – including managing your stress levels. Learn about heart health and stress.
Everyone experiences stress at one time or another – but it can affect your heart health if not managed properly. The amount of stress you experience and the way you react to it can result in multiple health issues.
According to Ernesto Schiffrin, M.D., Ph.D., physician-in-chief at Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, excessive stress is problematic. “[Excessive stress] can contribute to everything from high blood pressure… to asthma to ulcers to irritable bowel syndrome.”
Heart Health and Stress
Heart disease is the leading factor of death in Americans – and stress may contribute to it. While more research is necessary, some studies suggest stress may lead to factors that increase heart disease risk.
For example, uncontrolled stress can result in high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, overeating, physical inactivity, and even smoking. All of these factors can increase the risk of heart disease by damaging artery walls and your overall health.
Moreover, you may experience certain symptoms from constant stress such as headaches, stomach aches, and back pain. You may also experience a lack of energy, restless sleep, forgetfulness, and mood swings.
Constant stress can keep you feeling on edge for days or weeks, which can affect your breathing and heart rate. As a result, this may lead to the harmful habits mentioned above, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Preventing Heart Disease
While managing stress is helpful for your overall health, more research is necessary regarding its connection to heart disease. At the moment, some studies are examining how stress reduction can affect cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, studies involving psychological and social therapy are promising when it comes to preventing second heart attacks. Talk to your doctor if you experience anxiousness or depression after a heart attack or stroke.
How to Deal with Stress
According to Schiffrin, some ways to deal with stress include exercising, eating healthy, and maintaining a healthy weight. Moreover, he suggests avoiding harmful habits like smoking and drinking too much coffee.
While medications are generally helpful, they may not be effective for stress. Certain medications may help people relax in the short term, but long-term relaxation and stress management practices are far better.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a difference between stress and anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety doesn’t go away “even in the absence of a stressor.”
If you experience anxiety, talk to your doctor about making an effective treatment plan.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for ways to improve your heart health, consider stress management techniques and heart supplements. For instance, HeartBeet Complete contains ingredients like beetroot powder and l-arginine that effectively promote circulation.
As a result, you may experience lower blood pressure, higher energy levels, and better overall heart health. Try HeartBeet Complete along with relaxation practices if you want to boost your heart health and wellness.
