By: Dr. Jo Ann Santiago
Associate Medical Director of Triple-S

When we experience stress, our body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. If this response is sustained for a long time, it can cause damage to the arteries and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of plaques on the arterial walls.

The mechanisms by which stress affects the heart are multiple. In addition to the direct effects of stress hormones, stressed people tend to adopt unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, or smoking, factors that increase cardiovascular risk.

Main Causes of Stress

  1. Work overload
  2. Financial Problems
  3. Interpersonal conflicts
  4. Social pressures
  5. Sleep disorders
  6. Traumatic events

Research has shown that chronic stress can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by up to 40%. Particularly worrying is its relationship with high blood pressure, considered the main risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) hold aligned positions on stress and cardiovascular health:

Key Points:

  1. They recognize stress as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor
  2. They emphasize the connection between chronic stress and coronary heart disease
  3. Routine stress assessment is recommended in patients with heart conditions

Official Recommendations:

  • Stress screening in cardiovascular evaluations
  • Integrating stress management into primary prevention
  • Cardiac rehabilitation programs that include stress reduction techniques
  • Mind-body therapies as a complement to standard treatment

Warning Signs:

  • Chest pain
  • Persistent Fatigue
  • Frequent palpitations
  • Severe anxiety
  • Chronic insomnia

Practical Recommendations:

  1. Regular exercise (30 minutes/day)
  2. Relaxation techniques:
    1. Meditation
    2. Yoga
    3. Conscious breathing
  3. Sleep hygiene (7 to 8 hours)
  4. Balanced diet
  5. Social and professional support
  6. Time management
  7. Work-rest limits

Conclusion

Effective stress management is crucial for cardiovascular health. Prevention and early care are essential. Professional care is crucial when stress levels interfere with your daily life. Specialists can provide additional tools for its management and assess individual cardiovascular risk, allowing specific preventive measures to be implemented.

 

References:

  1. Kivimäki, M., & Steptoe, A. (2018). Effects of stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 15(4), 215-229.
  2. Psychological Association. (2023). Stress effects on the body: Heart and cardiovascular system. American
  3. Cohen, B. E., et al. (2021). Stress and cardiovascular disease: An update on current knowledge. Annual Review of Medicine, 72, 397-408.
  4. Levine GN, et al. (2021). “Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.” Circulation, 143(10), e763-e783.
  5. Smith SC Jr, et al. (2023). “ACC/AHA Guideline for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
  6. AHA Scientific Statement (2024). “Stress Management in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.”

 

TSS-MKT-5808-2024-B

February 14, 2025