Stress and Cardiovascular Disease

There is a strong association between stress and cardiovascular disease.

We are aware that stress affects our health and wellbeing.

The detrimental effects of stress on the cardiovascular system have been documented through research.

Blood Pressure

Our blood pressure varies according to different mental stress activity. This differs according to the length of the stress endured, psychological preparedness, expectations and a person’s background. When facing mental stress blood pressure increases, but differs according to the stressor and situation.

Acute stress is associated with increased blood pressure, but does chronic stress lead to cardiovascular disease? Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease as its prolonged activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Heart Rate

Heart rate also increases with stress as the body prepares to protect itself with ‘fight or flight’. The type of stressor may include such things as a test, video game, public speaking, etc.

Changes in behavior may modify cardiovascular response, heart rate in particular. Although studies show that stress alters cardiovascular response, it does not prove that stress induces cardiovascular disease.

Psychological Stress and Cardiovascular Disease

A strong association is found between psychological stress and cardiovascular disease.

Personality factors such as anger, hostility, depression and anxiety have been related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Responding to stress with anger, increases risk of cardiovascular disease, especially myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Studies have shown that men with a type A behavior had a greater risk of coronary heart disease. Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases with hostility and a sense of urgency or impatience. It is clear that reactions to situations evoke responses of the nervous system.

Chronic stressors such as major life changes as well as psychological stress have been found to link to cardiovascular disease.

Personality factors play a large role in stress and cardiovascular disease. How stress affects your health and wellbeing is determined by how you perceive stress, and your behaviors, thoughts and reaction to stressors.

A healthy diet and lifestyle, stress reduction techniques, anger management and treatment of psychological stress is suggested by experts for people who suffer from cardiovascular disorders.

See your physician for advice.

Here is some additional information about preventing a heart attack.

This disease can be prevented but the number continues to increase. Thousands of people continue to die each year! This website provides lots of information to help prevent people from becoming a victim of a heart attack. It encourages the public to act now rather that waiting until it is too late.

Buckingham, J.C., Gillies, G.E. & Cowell, A. (1997). Stress, stress hormones and the immune system. John Wiley & Sons, London.

Hubbard, J.R. & Workman, E.A. (1998). Handbook of stress medicine: An organ system approach. CRC Press, New York.

Lovallo, W.R. (2005). Stress & Health. Sage Publications, California.

Oxington, K.V. (2005). Stress and health: New research. Nova Medical Books, New York.

Seyle, H. (1956). The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Also see the

Stress and Cardiovascular Disease to Stress Related Illness

Stress and Cardiovascular Disease to Easy Stress Management