Can Stress Cause a Heart Attack?
Severe emotional stress can temporarily increase your risk of a heart attack, but it typically doesn't directly cause one. People with underlying risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or coronary artery disease are more susceptible to stress-induced complications. During intense stress, your body releases hormones that cause heart rate and blood pressure to surge. This increased strain on the heart, combined with existing blockages in coronary arteries, can lead to a heart attack in vulnerable individuals.
However, it's important to note that stress alone is unlikely to trigger a heart attack in a healthy person. Chronic stress can certainly contribute to unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor diet or lack of exercise, which can indirectly raise your heart attack risk over time. Effective stress management techniques like relaxation exercises or meditation can be helpful in reducing stress and promoting overall cardiovascular health.
