Back to top. Yes, it makes you more vulnerable to colds, flus, and other viruses. Back to top. It can contribute to cardiovascular problems. Research shows that the hormones triggered by stress can raise cholesterol levels.
Anxiety can also cause high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart disease and strokes.
Back to top. Our genetic and biochemical makeup is very much a factor in the amount of stress we experience and our ability to respond to it in a productive way. But even if you have a predisposition toward stress, you can learn effective relaxation skills, create social support to help you deal with anxiety, and channel your tension into productive activities. Back to top. Chronic stress can affect the functioning of the brain chemicals that regulate our moods.