Have you ever felt like your heart was breaking during a stressful moment? The link between stress and heart health is stronger than we realize.

A new study published in Lancet revealed that constant stress can lead to an increased likelihood of heart and circulatory disease. Stress triggers your amygdala, the part of your brain that deals with stress, to signal the bone marrow to produce extra white blood cells, which then causes inflammation in the arteries. This inflammation can result in high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, all major risk factors for heart disease. Chronic stress can also harm your heart in indirect ways. When you’re feeling anxious, your sleep and healthy habits may take a hit. You may rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or drinking and be less likely to exercise or make nutritious food choices. Unfortunately, these stress behaviors only escalate the risk of heart disease even further.

Don’t worry, we have some good news for you! American Heart Association (AHA) says that taking control of your stress levels can greatly improve your heart health. Here are some tips for a healthier, happier heart: Maintain a daily routine, get your beauty sleep, fuel upright, connect with others, cry if you need to, limit news exposure, set achievable goals, and find healthy ways to unwind.

• Maintain a daily routine: Having a structured schedule can help you make the most of your time, especially during these unpredictable times.
• Get your beauty sleep: Sleeping for at least 8 hours a night is crucial for both your body and mind. It helps repair and rejuvenate, counteracting the effects of stress.
• Fuel up right: What we eat and drink plays a big role in our health. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and drinking enough fluids can go a long way in preventing or recovering from illness.
• Connect with others: If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, it’s important to reach out to friends and loved ones for support. Talking to a therapist can also help you manage your stress and related conditions.
• Cry if you need to: Crying is not a bad thing! It’s actually your body’s way of releasing cortisol, the hormone that causes stress. Don’t be afraid to let it all out.
• Limit news exposure: The world around us can be a big source of stress. Give yourself a break by turning off the news and social media, and focus on self-care instead.
• Set achievable goals: It’s great to be a go-getter, but if your packed schedule is causing you chronic stress, it’s not worth it. Take some time for yourself and relax.
• Find healthy ways to unwind: Meditation, acupuncture, and deep breathing are all effective ways to reduce stress.

It’s time to take charge of your heart health and reduce stress levels. If you’re concerned about your risk for heart disease, consider getting a heart health screening from Lab Testing API. We offer confidential, easy, safe, and low-cost tests that check for signs of poor heart health, such as inflammation of the arteries, imbalanced homocysteine, and abnormal cholesterol and lipid levels. Keep your heart running at optimal health by ordering a heart health blood test today!

By Dr Shikha Sharma for Lab Testing API