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What Causes Heart Stress?

In order to avoid heart disease, a person must carefully monitor the amount of stress he/she puts on the body. Heart stress can occur from both physical and psychological conditions. If you expose your heart to multiple stressors, you increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Speak to your doctor about ways you can reduce the amount of stress placed on your heart, and stay healthy.

  1. Types

    • Poor lifestyle choices can cause heart stress and increase your risk of heart disease. By smoking, a person is about two times more likely to suffer from heart complications. Poor diet can increase your cholesterol and place a lot of stress on your heart. A poor diet will consist of foods high in saturated fats and leads to medical conditions, such as obesity. Drinking too much alcohol can raise a person's blood pressure, which places stress on the heart.

    Considerations

    • Although physical conditions can cause heart stress, psychological issues can be a factor as well. Anxiety and other stress disorders can put a person at risk for heart disease. Major life changes can cause stress as well, which can affect the heart. These changes may include pregnancy, illness, death of a loved one, unemployment and moving.

    Effects

    • Exercise is a good type of stress to place on your heart. Exercise can help lower your cholesterol, as well as keep a person at a healthy weight. However, if you have been previously diagnosed with a heart condition, you should get your doctor's approval prior to participating in any type of exercise regimen.

    Features

    • There are particular heart stressors that a person does not have the ability to control. This includes advanced age and a family history of heart disease. Men and post-menopausal women are also at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

    Warning

    • The way that you handle emotional stress also has an effect on your risk for heart disease. When emotionally stressed, a person is more likely to be inclined to practice poor lifestyle choices, such as drinking, smoking and overeating.

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