Stress in day to day living can build up to the point it creates anxiety attacks. These attacks can be very serious and can cause not only heart problems, but also stroke and low blood pressure. If you think about it, it’s no wonder stress heart problems are among the leading causes of heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems in the western world.
Since fear is an overwhelming symptom of an attack of anxiety, the brain tells the body that it is in danger. It tells the body, in a sense, that it must be put on full alert. Be ready to fight or flight!
The body organs get the message from the brain to prepare for an emergency. The heart starts pumping blood faster to supply the organs extra energy. Muscles start tensing, eyes dilate and are on alert, hearing is keener.
The body can do this routinely for short periods of time. However, if it is called upon to maintain this high level of alertness, it becomes impossible. With stress induced anxiety, however, there is no let up and the brain continues to sound out danger.
When does the body reach its breaking point? Half the brain is saying: whoa! Slow down. We can’t keep this up. The other half is reading the anxiety and continues to scream: Danger! The heart races, slows down, races, slows down. Eventually it becomes too much. And it stops.
Stress induced anxiety, leading to panic, can have dangerous results:
Here are some effects of a an anxiety attack:
* Feeling cold * Nervous trembling * Irregular or fast heart beat * Breathing difficulties * Blood pressures goes up or down
Now you understand how your organs can be overwhelmed by the mixed signals its receives due anxiety! No wonder stress can cause heart problems.
