Stress has noticeable effects on the cardiovascular system. Who hasn't felt their heart beat faster because of stress or anxiety? Chronic stress can result in high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular system disorders.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a silent killer, causing few symptoms until serious complications arise. High blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular system disorders.

Stress is a leading cause of high blood pressure. Even a small stress response causes blood vessels to constrict. Research is unlocking a complex relationship between stress, high blood pressure and the cardiovascular system.

Strokes and High Blood Pressure

Recent studies have brought to light how stress and high blood pressure influence the chance of a stroke. A study in the June 2003 edition of Stroke draws a connection between the severity of stress-induced blood pressure changes and the risk of strokes. A long-term Danish study supports this finding: the study discovered that middle-aged men who reported high levels of stress were twice as likely to suffer a fatal stroke compared to men who reported low stress levels. As little as one incident of stress a week doubled the chance of a stroke.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol, and plaque deposits build up and clog the cardiovascular system's blood vessels. If atherosclerosis affects blood vessels leading to the heart, the disease is referred to as coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis causes include diet and high blood pressure. Stress may also be a contributing factor. An Ohio State University study discovered that stress slows the body's metabolism of triglycerides, a type of fat linked to cardiovascular system disorders, including heart attacks. By slowing the metabolism of triglycerides, stress allows the fat to remain in the blood longer, a factor that may speed up atherosclerosis development.

Relaxation Techniques: Protecting the Cardiovascular System

Relaxation techniques can help minimize the effect stress has on the cardiovascular system. Research has noted that breathing exercises and meditation help control high blood pressure, and may even have a preventative effect.

Development of atherosclerosis can also be delayed by relaxation techniques. Regular meditation, breathing exercises and other techniques can help to lower the level of oxidative chemicals in the blood, which in turn lowers the risk of atherosclerosis.

Stress-Related Cardiovascular System Disorders

• high blood pressure
• atherosclerosis
• heart attacks
• strokes
• angina pectoris
• myocardial infarction.

Resources

American Heart Association. (nd). Atherosclerosis. Retrieved August 20, 2003, from www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4440.

American Heart Association. (2001). Stress-induced blood pressure spike linked to increased stroke risk. Retrieved August 20, 2003, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/06/010605073231.htm.

Predit, R. (2003). Stress out, stroke out. Retrieved August 20, 2003, from www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=512215.

Science Daily. (2002, February 15). Stress causes heart-damaging fats to stay in blood longer. Retrieved August 20, 2003, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/02/020213075604.htm.