However, as per Aditi Jagtap Pune, in cases of chronic stress, where stress levels remain consistently elevated, the heightened activity state of the heart also remains constant. The uninterrupted release of stress hormones and the consistent increase in heart rate and contractility can ultimately result in long-term damage to your heart. The heart muscles may become weakened, resulting in a condition known as cardiomyopathy.

1. What is the link
between stress
and heart
problems? —
Aditi Jagtap
Pune

2. About In today’s fast-paced environment,
stress has become an everyday
companion for many. Although
people feel stressed occasionally,
chronic stress has several
detrimental effects on their health,
especially their heart health. We
have jotted down a few points
around the underlying mechanism,
potential risk factors, and practical
strategies that can mitigate the
impact of stress on your heart
health.

3. What is stress and its physiological responses in the body?
Stress is a common word for us to say, but
what does it mean? Our body’s natural
response to perceived threats or dangers
plays a crucial role in making us survive.
However, when it becomes chronic and
prolonged, it can threaten the delicate
balance of our body’s systems, particularly
cardiovascular health. During stress, the body
releases stress hormones, including cortisol
and adrenaline, which limber up the body for
immediate action. While this response is
essential in acute situations, prolonged stress
can adversely affect the heart and blood
vessels.

4. The leading primary mechanism through which
chronic stress contributes to heart disease
development is increasing blood pressure. When
stress prolongs, the uninterrupted release of stress
hormones can lead to exceptionally high blood
pressure levels. High blood pressure, or
hypertension, increases strain on the heart and
arteries, damaging the arterial walls. As a result of
this damage, certain conditions can develop over
time, like atherosclerosis, where plaque
accumulates within the arteries, narrowing the
blood vessels and disrupting blood flow to the
heart and other organs.
What is stress and its physiological responses in the body?

5. The leading primary mechanism through which
chronic stress contributes to heart disease
development is increasing blood pressure. When
stress prolongs, the uninterrupted release of stress
hormones can lead to exceptionally high blood
pressure levels. High blood pressure, or
hypertension, increases strain on the heart and
arteries, damaging the arterial walls. As a result of
this damage, certain conditions can develop over
time, like atherosclerosis, where plaque
accumulates within the arteries, narrowing the
blood vessels and disrupting blood flow to the
heart and other organs.
What is stress and its physiological responses in the body?

6. How stress affects
your heart?

7. Result of
stress
The result of stress on the heart is more than just
increased blood pressure and clotting. Stress
hormones release, such as adrenaline and cortisol,
increases heart rate and contractility. This body’s
physiological response prepares it for the fight or
flight situation, allowing it to cope with the
current threat or danger.

8. Chronic Stress
However, as per Aditi Jagtap Pune, in cases of
chronic stress, where stress levels remain
consistently elevated, the heightened activity
state of the heart also remains constant. The
uninterrupted release of stress hormones and the
consistent increase in heart rate and contractility
can ultimately result in long-term damage to
your heart. The heart muscles may become
weakened, resulting in a condition known as
cardiomyopathy. Some common characteristics
of cardiomyopathy include enlargement,
thickening, or stiffening of the heart muscles,
impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood
effectively. As a result of this weakened state of
the heart, fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid
retention may occur as symptoms.

9. More Common than You Think
Moreover, long-term exposure to stress can
hinder the normal electrical impulses that
govern the rhythmicity of the heart,
potentially resulting in arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms
that can be a cause of situations such as
palpitations, rapid heartbeats, or skipped
beats. These irregularities in heart rhythm
can be reasons for the disturbances caused
by the continuous release of stress
hormones. Severe arrhythmias can
sometimes have deadly consequences if not
properly managed

10. Mental Health
is Integral
Stress-related hypertension, or high blood
pressure, also strains the heart. When blood
pressure remains elevated due to chronic stress,
the heart has to work harder to pump blood
effectively throughout the body. This increased
workload can lead to the thickening of the heart
muscles, specifically the left ventricle, known as
left ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular
hypertrophy is a compensatory response of the
heart to the increased demand, but if left
untreated, it can impair the heart’s ability to pump
blood efficiently. This diminished pumping capacity
raises the risk of heart failure, where the heart
cannot meet the body’s demand for oxygenated
blood.

11. Reasons
Another reason for increasing stress
levels is a lack of sleep. Chronic sleep
deprivation disrupts the body’s natural
balance and impairs its ability to cope
with stressors effectively. Sleep is crucial
for the restoration and rejuvenation of
the body and mind. When sleep is
compromised, the body’s stress response
system becomes dysregulated, leading to
increased sensitivity to stressors and an
elevated risk of developing stress-related
health issues, including heart disease, as
per Dr Ranjit Jagtap Daughter.

12. We care about our hearts, so why can't we care for
our minds?
Don't hesitate to
seek help.

13. Thank you!