“Acute severe stress can increase our blood pressure and even reduce blood supply to the heart muscle,” says Mayo Clinic Healthcare Consultant Cardiologist Ricardo Petraco, MD, PhD. “Prolonged stress exposure can negatively impact cardiovascular health, increasing the long-term risks of heart disease and stroke.”
Dr Petraco points out that professionals and executives are frequently in high-stress, fast-paced environments, which comes with significant responsibilities leading to prolonged and chronic stress. Burnout within the workplace is increasing where work-related stress can be caused by being worn out both physically and emotionally. Heavy workloads, long working hours, lack of support or poor work-life balance can contribute to this.
When stress is triggered, a “fight or flight” response is initiated, with the body releasing hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which are important for us to help cope with the acute situation. However, in the long run, too much of these hormones will disrupt the body’s normal physiological processes, leading to higher risk of health problems.
How does stress lead to heart attacks?
Emotional stress elevates your heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause plaques to build up in your arteries, which restricts blood flow to your heart. Elevated levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, will increase this risk further. In addition to these direct effects, stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including stress eating or substance abuse, which can all lead to heart disease.
Furthermore, short-term severe stressful situations can lead to a type of acute heart failure. This is known as “broken heart syndrome,” where the heart can temporarily fail and can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.
How often should you screen for heart disease?
Stress can be particularly harmful to people with other underlying cardiovascular risk factors. For instance, someone with high cholesterol and diabetes will suffer significantly more from stress than a healthy individual. Therefore, it is important to have regular heart screening not only to discuss how to manage your stress, but also to check for other accompanying health risks, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Do not ignore warning symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or progressive fatigue. Cholesterol checks and blood pressure measurements should be part of your routine healthcare checkup, particularly if you are suffering from prolonged stress. Those with a family history of heart disease or who are frequently exposed to high-stress situations may consider scheduling frequent visits with Mayo’s cardiologists to monitor heart health and provide personalised advice.
Routine screening plays a crucial role in early detection and prevention of heart-related issues. By identifying potential problems early, people can take proactive steps to manage their health and reduce the risk of serious complications. Regular health checks to stay on top of heart health will ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.
Book an appointment with a cardiologist
If you are concerned about the impact of stress to your heart, schedule an appointment with a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London: https://www.mayoclinichealthcare.co.uk/patient-care/cardiology
We offer world-class care for your heart health. Mayo Clinic Healthcare in central London has state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and cutting-edge technology that enables our team of specialists to deliver the most accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plans tailored to your individual needs.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologists offer a wealth of expertise and advanced diagnostics to ensure a clear understanding of your condition, offering the most effective treatments to you.