Stress isn’t just in your head; it's also hurting your heart

As the year winds down, many of us are feeling the strain.

Whether it's juggling deadlines, performance reviews, or matric exams, these day-to-day stresses can really take their toll on our mental health.

But experts are warning it's not just our mental health we need to take care of; stress can also hurt our hearts.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.

Now, experts say we’re seeing a dangerous convergence of end-of-year stress, emotional strain, and cardiovascular risk.

Dr Renata Maharaj of Novartis South Africa admits that it is only in the last 10 years or so that there has been an awareness of how stress is affecting younger people.

"I think it's important that we draw attention to the fact of stress and its association with cardiovascular disease from a much younger age."

Maharaj says students and young professionals have a significantlyincreased risk of cardiovascular issues.

"It's these stress triggers that, from a physiological point of view, release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are referred to as the stress hormones."

These hormones can cause an elevation in blood pressure and heart rate.

What's more, reactions to stress can promote unhealthy behaviours like increased alcohol consumption, a bad diet and the avoidance of exercise.

The result? An increased likelihood of developing heart disease, warns Maharaj.

To listen to the conversation with Maharaj on CapeTalk's Views and News, use the audio player below: