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REDUCING STRESS
305
January14
Heart to heart
Acute stress can cause an increase in heart rate and blood
pressure, while chronic stress can also raise blood pressure
and make the body more fatigued.
Dr Reginald Liew
, senior
consultant cardiologist at
The Harley Street Clinic Heart
Specialists
answers some questions about the impact of
stress on that essential organ, the heart.
How does stress affect the cardiovascular system?
Stress can impact either indirectly or directly. For example,
stress can cause blood pressure to increase (either suddenly
in cases of acute stress, or chronically with persistent stress)
which can put extra strain on the heart and increase the risk
of a heart attack or stroke. Chronic stress can also cause
persistent elevation of stress hormones such as adrenaline
and cortisol, or cause chronic inflammation, which can
increase cardiovascular risk.
How do repeated episodes of acute stress cause
damage?
Acute stress is short-lived. Once the situation is resolved,
the stress usually diminishes. It can be beneficial and create
motivation, helping people focus on completing a task before
10 long-term ways to manage stress,
1.
Be realistic about what you can do
2.
Plan your time, commitments and activities
3.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
4.
Think positively
5.
Make time for yourself
6.
Spend time with family and friends
7.
Exercise
8.
Learn some relaxation techniques
9.
Get enough sleep
10.
Space the major changes in your life
a tight deadline. On the other hand, acute stress may actually
be detrimental, worsening anxiety and impairing one’s ability
to deal with the problem at hand.
Repeated episodes of acute stress can cause repeated high
surges in blood pressure, which can put extra strain on the
heart and circulatory system. If a person has an underlying
abnormality of their brain circulation or other pre-existing
heart problems (such as underlying coronary artery disease),
acute stress could be the trigger for a heart attack or stroke.
Repeated stress can also cause damage in other ways,
leading to fatigue, anxiety, palpitations or sleeping problems.
Are there any known links between stress and
cancer?
There is no firm evidence linking stress with cancer. However,
associations between the two conditions may be due to the
behaviours adoptedby stressedpeople, such as smoking, over-
eatingordrinkingalcohol,whichmayincreasetheirriskforcancer.
What lifestyle changes do you recommend?
General lifestyle advice includes eating healthily, minimising
fat intake, limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, and exercising
regularly. Also, it’s advisable to identify the stressors and try
to avoid them.