How does stress contribute to cardiovascular disease?
A With stress, the brain tells the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and other hormones and neurotransmitters, which in turn activate the sympathetic nervous system causing the fight-or-flight response.
This response increases heart rate and blood pressure so that more blood is distributed to the heart and other muscles in anticipation of physical activity. Blood glucose concentrations and cholesterol also increase to provide a source of energy, and the platelets become activated so that they will be more likely to clot in case of injury. Such a response can be adaptive if you’re being chased by a hungry lion but may be more detrimental than useful if you’re sitting at a desk taking an exam or feeling frustrated by a task given to you by your boss.
If you are healthy, you can tolerate the cardiovascular responses that take place during stress, but if you already have CVD, stress can lead to adverse outcomes such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and sudden cardiac death. It has long been known that an increase in heart rhythm problems and deaths is associated with acute mental stress. For example, the rate of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias in patients who already had underlying heart disease doubled during the month after the September 11 terrorist attacks; this increase was not limited to people in proximity to Manhattan.
How does stress contribute to cardiovascular disease? Photo Gallery
Because avoiding all stress is impossible, having healthy mechanisms to cope with it is your best defense. Instead of adopting unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking, or overeating to deal with stress, try healthier coping techniques such as exercising, getting enough sleep, and talking to family and friends.
American Cancer Society. 2013. Cancer Facts and Figures, 2013. Atlanta, Ga.: American Cancer Society.
American
Pack-years can be calculated by multiplying the number of packs you smoked per day by the number of years you smoked. For example, if you smoked a pack and a half a day for 5 years, you would have smoked the equivalent of 1.5 X 5 = 7.5 pack-years.
Hostility Assessment
Are you too hostile? To help answer that question, Duke University researcher Redford Williams, M.D., has devised a short self-test. It’s not a scientific evaluation, but it does offer a rough measure of hostility. Are the following statements true or false for you?
1. I often get annoyed at checkout cashiers or the people in front of me when I’m waiting in line.
2. I usually keep an eye on the people I work or live with to make sure they do what they should.
3. I often wonder how homeless people can have so little respect for themselves.
4. I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them.
5. The habits of friends or family members often annoy me.
6. When I’m stuck in traffic, I often start breathing faster and my heart pounds.
7. When I’m annoyed with people, I really want to let them know it.
8. If someone does me wrong, I want to get even.
9. I’d like to have the last word in any argument.
10. At least once a week, I have the urge to yell at or even hit someone.
