Stress affects everyone to some degree. Some people experience more stress than others and handle it quite well. Others have more difficulty, and if they do not handle it correctly, stress can cause a variety of health concerns. Stress can cause headaches, chest pain, muscle pain, sleep disorders and upset stomach. Stress also affects the balance of fats and cholesterol in the body and how they travel throughout the circulatory system.
Symptoms
Stress is known as the silent killer because many people do not realize the affects that it has on the body until they are suffering from one or more illnesses. The connection between stress and LDL levels of cholesterol becomes apparent during a physical exam. People under high levels of chronic stress are more susceptible to high blood pressure, angina, and other cardiovascular problems. These conditions are not so much symptoms of chronic stress, but the result of prolonged periods where the body has been allowed to deteriorate.
LDL cholesterol levels can be elevated because of diet and how the body handles stress. The body's ability to create and eliminate cholesterol is also a factor when dealing with stressful situations. The level of stress the body is under will determine how well the body handles cholesterol.
Increase in Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is manufactured within the body and also found in many of the foods we eat. Fried foods and foods that contain large amounts of fat contribute to higher than normal LDL cholesterol levels. When the body is under stress, it forces the body to produce more low density lipoprotein. As the amount increases, it is dumped into the bloodstream where it is carried throughout the body. As the level of cholesterol increases, the blood becomes sticky and will begin to adhere to the walls of blood vessels. This inhibits blood flow and causes higher than normal blood pressure.
Cholesterol Build Up
Excess cholesterol not only builds up in blood vessels in the form of plaque, it also can accumulate in various areas in the body. It can build up in and around the heart, lungs and other organs. High levels of stress increases the amount of LDL cholesterol that is produced and then limits the amount the body is allowed to get rid of. As the body continues to produce and store cholesterol, more stress is created. This cycle continues until the excess cholesterol begins to affect not only blood flow, but breathing patterns and the immune system.
Long-Term Effects
Chronic stress and excess LDL cholesterol build up can damage the heart and other vital organs. Heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular problems can occur as well. Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for those who allow high levels of stress to deteriorate and compromise vital functions within the body.
Once these health issues are found through tests and physical exams, irreversible damage may have already occurred. Changing one's lifestyle and diet can prohibit further damage. In some instances, it may take as long as three or more years for the effects of stress and LDL cholesterol to become less apparent.
