Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Stop worrying too much for an unfinished task as anger, anxiety, and depression not only affect the functioning of the heart but also increase the risk for heart disease. According to research, persisting stress increases the risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease by evoking negative emotions that, in turn, raise the levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body.
'We hypothesised that brain activity linked to negative emotions - specifically efforts to regulate negative emotions - would relate to physical signs of risk for heart disease,' explained Peter Gianaros, an associate professor at University of Pittsburgh. Stroke and heart attacks are the end products of progressive damage to blood vessels supplying the heart and brain, a process called atherosclerosis. (Read: 10 things that happen during a heart attack)
Atherosclerosis progresses when there are high levels of chemicals in the body called pro-inflammatory cytokines. To conduct the study, researchers recruited 157 healthy adult volunteers who were asked to regulate their emotional reactions to unpleasant pictures. They found that individuals who show greater brain activation when regulating their negative emotions also exhibit elevated blood levels of interleukin-6, one of the body's pro-inflammatory cytokines. (Read: Heart attack symptoms everyone should know)
These new findings agree with the popular belief that emotions are connected to heart health which may lead to protect against heart disease, said the study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. (Read: Expert advice: Warning signs of a heart attack)
What happens in a heart attack?
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart is starved of oxygen and heart cells die.
A hard substance called plaque can build up in the walls of your coronary arteries. This plaque is made up of cholesterol and other cells. A heart attack can occur as a result of plaque buildup.
Causes of heart attack
The cause of heart attacks is not always known. Heart attacks may occur:
Cardiogenic shock is a state in which the heart has been damaged so much that it cannot supply enough blood to the organs of the body. This condition is a medical emergency. (Read: Heart Attacks What you should know)
With inputs from IANS
You may also like to read:
For more on heart disease, check out our heart disease section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.