Almost everyone experiences stress at least one time in their life. It is a normal physiological response to specific situations and usually disappears quickly, such as speaking in front of a crowd or braking suddenly in traffic. However, both short-term and prolonged stress can become risk factors for increased cardiovascular disease.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Nguyen Vinh, Director of the Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, explains that prolonged stress can cause inflammation, accelerate plaque buildup in arteries, leading to coronary artery disease – a cause of heart attack, arrhythmia, and heart failure. In addition, stress increases adrenaline – a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. While adrenaline enhances mental alertness in stressful situations, causing the heart to beat faster and increasing blood pressure, the body producing too much adrenaline will damage the heart.

A doctor performs an ultrasound to assess the extent of heart damage. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.*

Another stress hormone, cortisol, also increases blood pressure, blood sugar, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides. Individuals with chronic stress often experience chest pain, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, and are at risk of stroke, heart attack, and developing broken heart syndrome.

According to Associate Professor Vinh, a sudden increase in adrenaline in individuals with atherosclerosis can rupture plaque, leading to the formation of blood clots that completely block blood flow to the heart. For people with a history of heart conditions such as arrhythmia, sudden stress contributes to worsening disease symptoms.

Stress also causes indirect effects on the heart, including:

Sleep disorders: Lack of sleep increases inflammation and promotes the production of plaque that obstructs arteries. Insufficient sleep is also linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression, and an increased risk of heart disease.

Stimulating weight gain: Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, stimulate appetite, but metabolism slows down. Overweight and obesity lead to increased blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, which in turn lead to cardiovascular disease.

Negative coping behaviors: When faced with stress, some people turn to tobacco, alcohol, or stimulants as a way to relieve it. However, these habits significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

To control stress, Associate Professor Vinh advises everyone to create a reasonable schedule, balancing work and rest time. Maintain regular exercise, meditation, and yoga. Get enough sleep, seven to eight hours each night, and do not stay up late past 11 PM. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting fatty foods, processed foods, and those high in sugar or salt. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption. Individuals with risk factors such as stress, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and overweight or obesity should undergo regular cardiovascular screenings.

Thu Ha