Effect of Mental Health on Heart Disease

Attaining and sustaining good mental health is just as vital as other factors, such as exercise and diet, in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Medical researchers aren't sure exactly how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors (such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure) worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less and you may be more likely to smoke.

If stress itself is a risk factor for heart disease, it could be because chronic stress exposes your body to unhealthy, persistently elevated levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Also, depression can have an effect on your susceptibility to heart disease. Physical signs of depression, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, may contribute to thickening arteries, an early sign of cardiovascular disease.

Being stressed or depressed doesn’t directly cause heart disease, but these can lead to a person adopting an unhealthy lifestyle which can increase the risk of heart disease.