Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot.

Lack of blood flow can cause damage or death to heart muscle cells, leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. While several factors can contribute to heart attack risk, including age, family history, and lifestyle habits, research has also linked chronic stress to an increased risk of heart attack.

What is Life Stress?

Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. It triggers a cascade of physiological changes, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol, that can help prepare the body to fight or flee.

While acute stress responses are generally helpful, chronic stress can be harmful to health. Life stress, in particular, refers to stressors that arise from daily life experiences, such as work pressure, financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, or caregiving responsibilities.

How does Life Stress Affect Heart Attack Risk?

Multiple studies have suggested that chronic life stress may contribute to the development of heart disease, including heart attack.

One way that stress can impact the heart is by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, a branch of the autonomic nervous system that controls the body’s fight-or-flight response. Persistent activation of the sympathetic nervous system can lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.

Stress can also affect lifestyle habits that contribute to heart attack risk.

For example, people who are stressed may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, drinking, poor diet, and lack of exercise, all of which are independent risk factors for heart disease. Stress can also interfere with sleep quality, which can further increase the risk of heart disease.

Evidence from Research

In one study published in the journal Circulation, researchers followed more than 11,000 men who were free from heart disease at baseline for more than 30 years.

They found that men who reported high levels of work-related stress had a 68% higher risk of developing heart disease than those with low stress.

Another study published in the European Heart Journal followed more than 1000 women for over a decade and found that women with high levels of life stress, especially work-related stress, had a 40% higher risk of heart disease than those with low stress.

A meta-analysis of 27 studies also found that chronic stress was associated with a 46% higher risk of heart disease, including heart attack, but noted that the evidence was stronger for men than women.

Moreover, the association between stress and heart disease was stronger for younger individuals than older ones, suggesting that stress may have a more substantial impact on heart attack risk in early adulthood.

Managing Stress to Reduce Heart Attack Risk

While it’s impossible to eliminate stress entirely from life, there are several strategies that people can implement to manage stress and reduce their heart attack risk.

One is to practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, which can help calm the mind and body’s stress response. Another is to engage in regular physical activity, which can not only reduce stress but also improve cardiovascular health.

People can also benefit from setting realistic goals, prioritizing self-care, and seeking social support from friends and family when needed.

The Bottom Line

Chronic life stress is a risk factor for heart attack, likely due to its impact on the sympathetic nervous system, lifestyle habits, and sleep quality.

Multiple studies have shown a link between stress and heart disease, although research suggests that the association is stronger for men than women and younger individuals than older ones. To reduce heart attack risk, people should try to manage stress through relaxation techniques, physical activity, self-care, and social support.