Can Stress Cause A Heart Attack?

Stress & Heart Health

Stress can have a huge impact on your heart health, and in some severe cases, it can give you a heart attack. Let me explain. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones trigger a “fight or flight” response, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to rise. Over time, if stress is constant, this heightened state can cause increased inflammation in the arteries, making them more prone to narrowing and clogging. This narrowing can contribute to a heart attack by restricting blood flow to your heart muscle. Stress also affects your behaviors. People who are stressed may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking, overeating, or drinking alcohol, which further increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. You should also know that stress can worsen existing heart conditions, putting further strain on the heart. Some studies suggest that severe stress events, such as the loss of a loved one or a major life change, can trigger a heart attack in some people who already have an increased risk. This is also known as “broken heart syndrome,” where the heart temporarily weakens due to a surge of stress hormones. If you believe your life is stressful, finding ways to reduce it is important, as it can hurt your heart. Taking steps to manage stress can help protect your heart in the long run.