As we race through life at breakneck speed, the list of stressful triggers that are linked to cardiac disease is growing. Some of the first reported examples of emotional stressors related to heart disease were depression, anger, and hostility. There ’ s a large body of research from the early 1950s that demonstrates this relationship. More recently, however, because of our fast - paced, multitasking lifestyles, many other emotional triggers have been found to be damaging to the heart. Here are some examples:
Repressing your feelings
Marital arguing patterns, for example, have been shown to be detrimental to cardiovascular health, particularly in women. The women who repressed their feelings of resentment and anger toward their husbands had a higher risk of heart attack than those who were more open and expressive of their feelings.
Panicking
Panic attacks were also recently found to be linked to the risk of heart attack. In one study, the women who experienced at least one full - blown panic attack had a signifi cantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Experiencing an earthquake
The Northridge earthquake that struck Los Angeles in 1994 was one of the strongest ever recorded in North America. There was a sharp increase in the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease immediately after this event, and the researchers postulated that emotional stress from the quake was the cause. Similar data were observed after a major earthquake in Japan.
Worrying while you work
Ten thousand British government workers with long - term job stress were followed for twelve years. This study was the fi rst to show that on - the - job stress could cause cardiovascular disease, either directly, from the stress itself, or indirectly, by leading stressed employees to adopt unhealthy lifestyles (such as smoking or heavy drinking). The study found that those with chronic job stress had a 68 percent higher chance of having a heart attack, developing angina, or dying from heart disease.
Having unhappy (or too happy?) holidays
In a twelve- year study conducted in Los Angeles, researchers showed that cardiac death rates were consistently higher in the winter months and peaked at Christmas and New Year ’ s. Specifi cally, December 25 and January 1 are the deadliest days of the year for heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. The researchers hypothesized that the peak in cardiac deaths during the holidays might be a result of emotional stress, overindulgence, or both.
Repressing your feelings
Panicking
Panic attacks were also recently found to be linked to the risk of heart attack. In one study, the women who experienced at least one full - blown panic attack had a signifi cantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Experiencing an earthquake
The Northridge earthquake that struck Los Angeles in 1994 was one of the strongest ever recorded in North America. There was a sharp increase in the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease immediately after this event, and the researchers postulated that emotional stress from the quake was the cause. Similar data were observed after a major earthquake in Japan.
Worrying while you work
Having unhappy (or too happy?) holidays
In a twelve- year study conducted in Los Angeles, researchers showed that cardiac death rates were consistently higher in the winter months and peaked at Christmas and New Year ’ s. Specifi cally, December 25 and January 1 are the deadliest days of the year for heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. The researchers hypothesized that the peak in cardiac deaths during the holidays might be a result of emotional stress, overindulgence, or both.
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