A heart attack is caused by a blockage in the coronary artery, restricting blood flow to the heart. According to the American Heart Association, one heart attack occurs in the United States every 24 seconds. A heart attack, if left untreated, will often result in cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. In fact, more than one third of heart attack victims will die as a result.
What Happens During a Heart Attack?
Coronary artery disease is a progressive disease, caused from plaque accumulating along the artery walls of the heart. When plaque ruptures or breaks free, blood platelets are released, forming a blood clot. The resulting blockage restricts blood flow beyond the clot, triggering a heart attack. Prolonging emergency care can lead to permanent, irreversible heart damage, or even death. For the most part, heart attacks are preventable. Major risk factors include smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity. Stress and poor nutrition are also major contributors.
Fight or Flight Response
Chronic stress, whether real or imagined, spawns a sequence of events that tax the cardiovascular system. During the fight or flight response, heart rate and blood pressure increase, as does respiration. Blood fats are released into the bloodstream to be used for energy. Blood platelets are also increased to prevent excessive bleeding during the "fight." Since most stressful events don't involve fighting or fleeing, the response is an unnecessary burden on the cardiovascular system, which over time can contribute to a heart attack.
Stress hormones can also increase heart attack risk. According to research published by Elissa Epel, Ph.D., in "Psychosomatic Medicine," cortisol production can contribute to excessive abdominal fat. Cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands during stress, promotes energy release. Any unused energy is then stored in the abdominal area. Excess abdominal mass has been linked to heart disease as well as hypertension.
Job Strain Can Cause a Heart Attack
Chronic stress has been linked to heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. According to CBS, research presented at the 2010 American Heart Association Conference showed a strong correlation between job-related stress and heart attacks. In fact, women who had a high degree of job strain had an 88 percent risk of suffering a heart attack. The direct causes have yet to be discovered, but there are strong patterns to suggest a connection between stress and heart disease. A study published by Dr. Corine Aboa-Éboulé in the October 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" revealed that high job strain can also lead to subsequent heart attacks.
Negative Coping Techniques Can Stress the Heart
Excessive stress can also lead to inappropriate coping techniques like smoking, excessive use of alcohol or binge eating. All of these behaviors can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Stress can also cause a lack of focus on healthy eating, opting for a quick meal on the run. Fast food dining is often lacking in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, all of which protect the heart.
Limit Fat, Sodium and Caffeine
Poor dietary habits can lead to coronary artery disease and heart attacks. High intake of saturated fats and trans fats can lead to high cholesterol and increase the risk of heart attack. Saturated fat is found in meat, cheese and other whole milk products, butter, and tropical oils. Excessive sodium can lead to hypertension, another major risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart attack. Foods high in sodium include fast food and other convenience foods, chips and crackers, as well as processed meats like hot dogs, bacon and sausage. Excessive intake of caffeine and other stimulants can accelerate heart rate and unnecessarily tax the cardiovascular system. Coffee and soda are common sources of caffeine. Energy drinks also contain additional stimulants like ginseng, Guarana and ginko Biloba. These should only be used in moderation, if at all.
References
- American Heart Association: Heart Attack and Angina Statistics
- Psychosomatic Medicine: Stress and Body Shape: Stress-Induced Cortisol Secretion Is Consistently Greater Among Women With Central Fat;
- CBS Moneywatch: Job Stress and Heart Attacks
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Job Strain and Risk of Acute Recurrent Coronary Heart Disease Events; Corine Aboa-Éboulé, MD, PhD, et al; October 10, 2007
