Stress as a hidden threat: a cardiologist about the dangers of constant anxiety for the heart

Did you know that one of the most dangerous conditions for the heart is chronic stress and anxiety, comparable in harm to smoking. Russian cardiologist Anna Korenevich told why, writes sb.by.

According to Anna Korenevich, the habit of living in a state of chronic tension and anxiety is so firmly embedded in the rhythm of modern man that many perceive these states as the norm:

- The constant rush, multitasking, the endless stream of notifications and the need to keep up with everything has become almost standard. At the same time, few people think about the damage this causes to the body.

The fact is that in a state of permanent stress, the brain constantly generates anxious thoughts, triggers scenarios “what if something goes wrong”, tries to control every little thing and does not give itself a minute to recover, the cardiologist said:

- As a result, the body around the clock, 24 by 7, maintains a high level of stress hormones - adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline speeds up the heartbeat and increases pressure, and cortisol in the long run disrupts metabolism, suppresses the immune system and contributes to the accumulation of visceral fat.

What is particularly devastating is that even when the body is supposed to rest, the nervous system remains on edge. Because of this, insomnia develops: the brain cannot “turn off”, and the body continues to synthesize stress hormones. It turns out a vicious circle: anxiety interferes with sleep, and lack of sleep further increases the level of stress and reduces resistance to stress.

- Moreover, it is the constant tension that often becomes the main barrier to getting rid of other bad habits. A person living in perpetual anxiety mode often uses smoking, overeating or other ways of self-regulation as a quick, if false, way to relieve tension. And even realizing the harm, he can not give up these habits – the resources of self-control are depleted, and the nervous system requires immediate relief, added Anna Korenevich.

She warned that if you feel that chronic stress has already begun to take a toll on your well-being — fatigue, irritability, pressure spikes, sleep or digestive problems — it’s important not to ignore those signals. Timely work with the causes of stress helps not only to improve the quality of life, but also to reduce the risks of serious diseases.

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