Chronic stress is dangerous to your cardiovascular system, especially your heart. Stress hormones such as cortisol can increase your heart rate and constrict blood vessels, and make your heart and blood vessels more likely to overreact in the event of future stressful events. Heart failure can be triggered by chronic emotional stress even in subjects without prior cardiovascular disease. Stress has been identified by experts as a key risk factor for initiation and development of heart diseases. The persistent high blood pressure and increased heartbeat triggered by increased release of epinephrine during chronic stress increases the risk of arteriosclerosis and heart failure.
A recent Working Group convened in the USA by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, to discuss the consequences of chronic stress determined that long-term stress has harmful effects on human health. The Working Group comprising of experts in physiology, neuroendocrinology, behavioral stress, and heart and vascular biology concluded that chronic stress is associated with the development of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke. However, the links between chronic stress and the development of cardiovascular diseases have not been conclusively established at this point in time. The working group recommended that further studies on the influence of chronic stress on eating behavior, energy metabolism and obesity should be encouraged.
Chronic stress also induces melancholy and feelings of sadness which burdens the heart immensely. A feeling of joy, happiness, and cheerfulness reduces the impact of stress on your heart. As wisely and eloquently stated by King Solomon in the Christian Bible, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” There is no better medicine in life than a cheerful heart. Learn to be cheerful, be contented with your life even if it is not as rosy as it should be. The attitude of cheerfulness will go a long way in preventing the health problems associated with stress and a heavy heart.
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