Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 20: When the word heart attack is uttered by a physician, even a 'Lion Hearted' person’s heart skips a beat, sweat appears on the forehead and hands begin to tremble. The reasons are many, including survival, post-discharge life and professional modifications and of course, the cost involved in immediate and long term treatment. With increasing prosperity, heart diseases are now common in younger age patients. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, traditional risk factors for heart attack such as diabetes, high BP, cigarette smoking and high cholesterol are on the rise.
'STRESS' along with the above-mentioned factors, contribute to an alarming rise of heart attacks, especially in the younger population. It is time for the medical fraternity and laymen alike to introspect and deal with the fact of stress leading to heart problems.
Stress:
Stress is a feeling of physical or emotional tension as a response to events which makes one feel angry, nervous, helpless or frustrated. It is the body’s reaction to challenge. Maybe a demanding boss, morning gridlock of traffic or soured relationship with a friend or a family member. Whatever the cause, it is likely of one's experiences on a daily basis.
In short bursts, it may have positive effects such as finishing intended jobs or meeting deadlines. It can be a good thing, if it motivates one to achieve something, but, chronic, overwhelming stress can have a negative impact on one’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of chronic stress, can help one to stay aware and address the issue before they harm the health.
How does stress cause heart attack?
Once a person is under severe stress, there is a surge of hormones in the body which leads to the famous 'Fight or Fight Reaction'. Long-term stress can lead to a constant elevated level of these hormones, have a direct deleterious effect on the heart. These hormones also increase the BP and blood sugar levels, which are traditional risk factors for a heart attack.
Unfortunately, the stress level cannot be 'measured' unlike BP or blood sugar. Hence, it is difficult to quantify what level of stress is detrimental to heart disease.
How to beat stress and save the heart?
The effect of stress on the heart is highly individual, as the stress taking and dealing capacity of every individual is different. Some are really 'Cool Cats' while others are 'Speeding Stallions'. Some of the ways to beat stress are '5 S’s':
Speak: Share your stresses with your spouse, friends and relatives. They may suggest a way out. Do not let your emotions pent up in you. Let them out.
Solution: Try to find out the best amicable solution to the problem, which need not always be perfect. Have the courage to change things which you can, and humbleness to accept which you cannot.
Socialize: Have an array of friends and attend social, cultural and family events. This takes your mind away from workplace problems. You may even meet a 'Solution' to your problem.
Sports: Take up a sport which your age and body permit. This helps to relax and increases 'Endorphin Levels' which are happy hormones.
Spirituality: Spirituality in the true sense, like meditation and soul searching, will give strength and capacity to deal with the stress-causing problem. A calm mind may reveal possible easy solutions to the problems which are stressing you out.
The other '2 S’s' namely, Smoking and Spirits (alcohol) are a strict 'No' as these have a deleterious effect on the heart and other body organs. Traditional risk factors such as BP, sugars and cholesterol are also increased by these vices.
My advice to the readers is to have regular health check-ups to detect and estimate the level of traditional risk factors. Control these risk factors. Learn to 'Let Go' and 'Stop to Smell Roses' in this race of life. Have a healthy life.