STRESS, BEHAVIOR, DEPRESSION
and HEART ATTACK
Stress plays a definite but hard to quantify role in heart attack. Stress results in increased adrenaline levels with subsequent increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Stress also increases cholesterol levels and steroid levels. The latter increases the tendency for blood to clot more easily. Stress may reduce the amount of time and energy available for exercise. Stress often leads to overeating.
Type A behavior is associated with a higher risk of heart attack. A sense of time urgency, doing more than one thing at a time, competitiveness (even in leisure activity) and hostility characterize this behavior. Extreme anger is the direst characteristic.
Occupational 'overload' may contribute to stress. It includes perceived job stress, job change, migration, layoff, unemployment, retirement, pay loss, lack of advancement, loss of autonomy. Retired men have an 80% greater risk of heart attack then men their same age who are still working.
Personal stresses such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, social isolation, or a tragic event in the community way trigger factors that exacerbate underlying arteriosclerosis. Young widowers are at highest risk of heart attack after the death of a spouse.
Depression may precede a heart attack. Perceived stress, under activity, and weight gain may all contribute. A blood test for under active thyroid (TSH) should be performed, as this may be a correctable cause of depression and elevated cholesterol.
Preventive measures include:
1. regular exercise 20-30 minutes per day 5 times or 6 times per week reduces stress and the risk of heart attack
·exercise increases protein hormones called endorphins that increase one's sense of well being
·Irregular exercise two times per week or less may actually increase the risk of heart attack.
·People with Type A behavior should consider walking, jogging, hiking, or other non-competitive activity, leaving the wristwatch at home.
2. cultivate healthy, loving, supportive relationships with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers
3. have a pet to love and be loved by
4. participate in or partake of happy, uplifting events, books, movies, shows, news stories
5. develop a hobby or outside interest
6. outdoor activities with sunlight are preventive (use sunblock)
7. schedule breaks during the day, weekend getaways, vacations, sabbaticals
8. develop and practice an optimistic, cheerful, positive attitude and philosophy
9. take up Yoga, Tai Chi, Transcendental Meditation
10. relax in a tub or Jacuzzi for 5-10 minutes
11. singing and laughing both help
12. take a stress management course
·wake up 5 minutes early, pray, or meditate
·anticipate stress and plan how to avoid or minimize it
·avoid unnecessary conflict
·learn breathing and relaxation exercises
·learn to delegate or share responsibilities
13. consult an expert for significant problems
14. obtain treatment for depression
15. help others, volunteer, be pro-active
16. shopping may be a 'release' but incurring debt may only add to stress
17. take charge, be responsible for your health, do it