Here we look at how stress effects heart disease and the relationship between physical inactivity and coronary heart disease, because the two are very much related.
Stress is the body's natural reaction to an immediate threat or danger. When you see a car racing towards you, you must react immediately to that "real threat". The brain releases adrenalin, which allows you to move quickly and increases your heart rate and your blood pressure. Blood flow is diverted to the large muscles, primarily the legs. You run or jump out of the path of the car. When the threat has passed, your heart rate begins to return to normal and the body begins to go about its usual business of digestion, cell repair, etc.
DISEASE
Short-term stress caused by a real threat does not cause illness. Short-term stress caused by the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce or other issues, is usually resolved after a time. Excessive stress that is not resolved, not relieved, can cause physical and mental illness. It has been said that work related stress is the "environmental" cause of illnesses of all types.
How stress effects heart disease is related to the chemicals that the body releases (adrenalin, cortisone, epinephrine, etc.). Increased blood pressure, on the short-term is not unsafe, but unabated high blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease. In addition, the short-term solutions that people use to relieve stress, such as overeating, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and cigarette smoking, are all damaging to the health of the heart.
Chronic stress often leads to either depression or anxiety, either of which can be exacerbated by those same short-term solutions mentioned above. Stress, also drains the body's stores of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, leaving the over-stressed individuals in a state of "under-nourishment", if not malnourishment. Without adequate nutrition, the heart cannot function properly for very long.
The relationship between physical inactivity and coronary heart disease has to do with numerous factors. The heart is a "muscular organ". Regular exercise increases muscle strength. The best way to exercise the "heart muscle" is to move. A typical day for many of us goes something like this.
We sit at a desk, staring at a computer screen for eight hours. We drive home (more sitting). We sit down in front of the TV. We go to bed. Somewhere in there, we spend time with our friends or loved ones, often while sitting. The only time that the heart rate increases is when we drink the morning cup of coffee, because of the caffeine, when someone cuts us off in traffic or when the boss yells at us. In other words, because of daily stress, which we have already learned is unhealthy for our heart.
At some point during the day, it is an absolute necessity to walk, run, dance, bike or do something that increases the heart rate for the right reasons. These activities are commonly referred to as "cardio", because they benefit the heart muscle.
A person who is sedentary for many years will almost certainly become overweight or obese. Their blood pressure will go up. Their cholesterol count will go up. And even though they are overweight, they are not well nourished. Their heart muscle will eventually become weaker and weaker and ultimately will fail, if the arteries are not clogged first.
Then we come to the relationship between stress and physical activity. Physical activity is one of the very best natural stress relievers. People who are physically active sleep better and are generally more relaxed.
Points to Remember
Short-term stress increases the body's need for vitamins and essential nutrients. Short-term stress is not harmful.
The best way to deal with daily stress (angry bosses, traffic jams, etc) is to be more physically active. It is also important to practice good nutrition.
Newly designed dietary supplements can counteract the effects of stress on the heart, reduce blood pressure, strengthen the heart muscle and reduce build-ups in the arteries that can lead to blockages.
Many experts believe that how stress effects heart disease is reversible, by either reducing the stress, becoming more physically active, properly nourishing the body or all three. To learn more, visit Heart Health Diet Tips, a new website dedicated to providing accurate information about preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and other diseases naturally.
How Stress Effects Heart Disease DISEASE
No comments:
Post a Comment