4 Body Sense
B O D Y T A L K
4 Body Sense
Chronic Stress a Strong Risk Factor for Heart Attack
There are so many reasons to eliminate stress in our lives, and the evidence keeps getting
stronger. A study published in Scientific Reports reveals patients who suffered an acute
myocardial infarction (AMI)—a heart attack—had elevated levels of cortisol (our primary
stress hormone) in the month before the event.
Researchers measured cortisol levels in hair samples from 174 men and women who
had been admitted for AMI to cardiology clinics in Southeastern Sweden. They found that
elevated cortisol levels were evident in both the men and women, showing chronic stress
is a strong risk factor for heart attack. Read the full study.
Tip: The Mayo Clinic recommends massage as one of the relaxation-based tools you
can use to fight chronic stress.
