Stress And Cardiovascular Disease

There's a firm connection between stress and cardiovascular disease, which is estimated to be the largest cause of death and disability worldwide.

In a 2004 study published in the journal Lancet (Sept. issue), 11,000 patients were questioned about their stress and heart attacks. They were more likely to have experienced severe work stress, home stress, and financial problems prior to their heart attacks.

The study's authors estimated that stress is responsible for about 20% of the world's heart attacks.

They also suggest that exercising regularly, eating healthy and avoiding cigarettes could lower the world's heart attack rate by 80%.

Eating more vegetables and fruit alone may lower the abysmal statistics by 30%. Interestingly, stress also has a negative impact on diet, exercise, and smoking.

The stress hormone cortisol further causes increased stickiness and platelet formation in the blood stream, which also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

High stress is reported to increase the risk of hypertension by more than 250%, and hypertension is a strong risk factor for heart attacks. Ignoring the risk factors may also lead to other health problems...

From Stress And Cardiovascular Disease
To Strokes And Depression

The stroke risk is over 400% higher in those with a blood pressure of 160/95 or above, versus those with a blood pressure of 140/95 or below. In those with a diastolic blood pressure of 105 mm Hg or higher, the risk of stroke increases by 1,000 - 1,200%.

Chronic stress causes chronic elevation of blood pressure, and thus the clinical criteria for hypertension can be met. Chronic stress patients are also at high risk for developing depression.

Based on findings from several studies...

• Depression increases your chances of developing coronary artery disease by 200%.
• Depression increases your likelihood of having a heart attack by 200-450%.
• And if you survive the heart attack but become depressed (65% do), your chances of dying within four months of the attack increases by 600-1,000%.

Fortunately, just as stress causes numerous health problems, relaxation and meditation - stress relief - cause numerous health benefits.



Return from Stress and Cardiovascular Disease to Symptoms of Stress.

Go from Stress and Heart Attacks to Meditation Techniques Home.