Cardiologists Warn to Never, Ever Ignore These Simple Signs of Chronic Stress
Everyone has some sort of stress. Whether it’s a long morning commute, kids who are in their "terrible twos," medical issues, or just everyday stress from a hectic job, for the most part, it’s simply unavoidable. And the wellness industry knows it. In a high-drive society where we’re constantly on the go, a whole plethora of ways to relax have been born. There are magnesium supplements to help you relax before you sleep, weekly sauna sessions that combine heat with quiet to trigger your body’s "feel-good" endorphins, and meditation centers to help quiet the world around you.
While it’s easy to chalk it all up to marketing tactics, reducing stress levels is essential to your overall health. Research shows that aside from psychological issues like anxiety and depression, long-term stress can lead to serious physical problems. While we know stress is bad for us, Dr. Andrew J. Holman (the founding rheumatologist at Pacific Rheumatology Associates Inc.) says it can also raise your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension or heart attack, not to mention immune system suppression and more.
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How Chronic Stress Targets Your Body and Heart
It’s easy to brush off symptoms caused by stress with the phrase "it’s just a season" constantly flowing out of our mouths. But according to Holman, some symptoms we often ignore as “normal” that are repeatedly linked to cardiovascular risk include:
- Poor sleep
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
- Weakened immunity
- Restless leg syndrome
- Sleep apnea
"Stress, in the short term, is designed to be beneficial. It drives our fight-or-flight response," says Holman. "For patients, problems occur when simple stress responses become chronic, never turning off. If you feel constantly on edge, that can be a sign of a dysfunctional autonomic nervous system."
If you’ve ever had a super stressful season, you’ve probably experienced one or more of these symptoms. Whether you have a big meeting coming up or just got out of a long-term relationship, a spinning mind can keep you up night after night, leading to fatigue day after day. This can then turn into digestive issues and a weakened immune system as the stress continues and the symptoms start to compound.
"When stress becomes chronic, self-management may no longer be enough," Holman says. "If patients experience consistent symptoms such as high blood pressure and a dysregulated immune system, they should consult medical professionals. Fitness trackers offer a good start, but doctors with access to medical-grade diagnostics can provide the best insight into how stress impacts overall cardiac health."
Related: Stressed Out? Try This Simple 30-Second Trick a Fitness Expert Recommends to Calm Your Mind