How Stress Affects Your Heart

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26 May 2025


Stress impacts your heart in several ways, primarily through physiological and behavioural mechanisms. Here's how:

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Increased Blood Pressure: Stress causes blood pressure to rise, which can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular disease

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Heart Rate Variability: Stress can disrupt normal heart rate variability, increasing the risk of heart problems

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Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic stress can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias

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Inflammation: Chronic stress can lead to inflammation, including in the arteries, which may contribute to the buildup of plaque, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis

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Blood Clot Risk: Stress hormones can make blood more likely to clot, potentially leading to heart attacks or strokes if a clot blocks a coronary artery

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Sleep Disruption: Stress can cause poor sleep, which is linked to higher risks of hypertension and heart disease

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Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Stress may lead to unhealthy behaviours like overeating, smoking, or excessive drinking, further increasing heart disease risk

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