In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a part of everyday life for Americans from all industries and backgrounds. While stress is a natural response to challenges you’ll encounter in day-to-day life, prolonged exposure to high-stress levels can negatively impact your health, especially regarding your cardiovascular well-being. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that scientific research has established a heart health and stress link between individuals with high-stress jobs. Individuals who have high-stress jobs can expect to have an increase in cardiovascular health complications.
Taking preventative measures to mitigate stress caused by a high-stress job will not only help minimize stress, but it can also improve your cardiovascular health. One proactive strategy for staying on top of your heart health is scheduling a preventative scan at Preventative Diagnostic Center.
Does stress lead to bad cardiovascular health?
Yes, stress can lead to bad cardiovascular health. When an individual begins to experience stress, their body will trigger the release of stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. If an individual experiences prolonged periods of stress and is in a constant state of elevated stress hormones, they’ll begin to experience a variety of health complications, including inflammation and the constriction of their blood vessels.
This tangible physiological response puts additional strain on the heart, increasing the likelihood of an individual developing cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, fluctuating heart rate, and even heart palpitations.
These serious health issues underscore the importance of identifying when you’re in a state of stress and learning how to manage stress in your day-to-day life.
Is a stressful job bad for your heart health?
Cardiovascular health and job risks like stress and poor heart health have been proven to be linked. Jobs are not created equal, and unfortunately, some jobs naturally induce higher stress levels in workers than others. As such, certain professions typically carry a higher risk of stress thanks to factors like tight deadlines, high stakes, long working hours, and extreme mental and emotional loads from everyday job duties.
It’s important to note that stress is subjective, and what one person might recognize as a stressful job, another might not view as such. The important thing is to be able to identify if your job is causing you stress and know how to manage that stress.
For some people, that might mean making clear boundaries between work and life. For others, it might mean prioritizing self-care no matter the nature of the job. Taking proactive steps to manage stress levels is critical to maintaining cardiovascular health.
Can a stressful job cause a stroke?
Chronic stress and the impact it can have on an individual’s heart is well documented, and in extreme cases, a stressful job can cause a stroke.
In a study published by the medical journal Neurology, research indicates that people who had high-stress jobs had a 22% increased risk of stroke as compared to individuals with low-stress jobs. Women were also found to be at increased risk in high-stress jobs at a rate of 33%.
The study also pointed out that at-risk individuals were those in “high-strain” jobs where the job demand was high, but workers had low control. This often included job roles like wait staff and nursing aids.
Interestingly enough, in individuals in “active” jobs where the job had high demands but allowed workers to have high control, there was not as high an association of increased stroke risk. This often included jobs like physicians and teachers.
Individuals who have high-stress levels often experience a range of health issues, including inflammation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and lack of sleep. Prolonged exposure to these negative health issues can lead to more severe cardiovascular issues like hypertension, atherosclerosis, and an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Can a stressful job cause a heart attack?
The University of Rochester Medical Center similarly reports that individuals who experience high levels of cortisol, adrenalin, and long-term stress are also at greater risk for a heart attack.
Elevated cortisone levels can increase blood cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides. These health issues can all cause changes in your body that lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, which could then lead to a heart attack.
A research article published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes looked at the impact of high-stress jobs and their link to heart attacks. The study found that specific types of work stress can lead to coronary heart disease.
The study also found that high-stress work can nearly double the chances of men developing heart disease. Developing heart disease can then lead to heart attacks and other health complications. The study also found that women were more likely to experience heart health issues due to high-stress jobs.
Much like the study published in the medical journal Neurology, different types of stressful jobs had varying outcomes when it came to the risk of heart attack. In short, the more stressful a job was and the less control a worker had, the higher their risk for heart diseases like a heart attack.
Taking proactive measures to reduce your stress
The simplest way to alleviate the stress in your high-stress job is to move into a role where you’ll encounter less day-to-day stress. While it is not always a feasible option for many Americans, if it is an option that can work in your life, it’s one of the best ways to reduce your stress significantly.
If you are unable to move into a lower-stress role, there are still plenty of proactive measures you can take to minimize your stress. Below are some of the best ways to minimize stress:
Exercise regularly
Exercise can help drive down high levels of cortisol and adrenaline in your blood. Regular exercise, at least thirty minutes daily, can help you reduce your overall stress, even with a high-stress job.
Tailor your diet
The benefits of eating healthy go beyond just nourishing your body with the right vitamins and minerals. Certain foods can help manage stress by balancing out the hormones in your body. Vitamins that can help lessen the effects of stress include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Meditation and self-care
Giving your body and brain a chance to slow down can significantly reduce the effects of stress on your body. Activities like meditation, yoga, and a self-care routine can all help mitigate stress complications.
Undergoing a preventative medical scan
One of the most effective proactive measures you can take is undergoing a preventative medical scan. A preventative medical scan is often regarded as the gold standard for preventative detection because the scan will capture a real-time image of your cardiovascular system. A board-certified radiologist will then compile a report detailing any abnormalities, health issues, and other diseases you may be at risk of or have already developed but have not yet shown symptoms.
Preventative medical scan near me
Undergoing a CT scan at Preventative Diagnostic Center is an effective way to detect early cardiovascular health issues, including early detection of heart disease, lung cancer, and other abnormalities.
Sources:
Huang, Y., et al. (2015). Association between job strain and risk of incident stroke.
Lavigne-Robichaud, M., et al. (2023). Psychosocial Stressors at Work and Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Men and Women: 18-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Combined Exposures.
Tayrien, C., et al. (2023). Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease.
