Heart disease doesn't go away, but by working with your doctor and taking your prescribed medication, you can live longer and feel better. This information was brought to you by The Heart Foundation in conjunction with Sanofi-Synthelabo in the interests of your health because Health Matters. Can Lead to Acute Heart Disease Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer in South Africa, with stress being one of the primary aggravating factors, yet many of us are still working ourselves up into an early grave. While some of the precipitating risk factors are genetically inherited, infections or other uncontrollable factors, many are a result of our lifestyle, and can be actively and effectively addressed. These include high blood cholesterol level, high blood pressure, smoking, extreme cold or heat, obesity, lack of physical exercise, heavy meals, alcohol and stress.
Stress is difficult to define or measure.
While some serene souls go evenly through life, most of us are at least temporarily affected by life's ups and downs. Because stress is an internal alarm system that hasn't really evolved beyond the days when we lived in caves, our body takes action by preparing itself to run or fight. The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released, the heartbeat climbs, blood pressure rises, and blood clotting times fall. When you take physical action, the stress hormones in your blood get used up, reducing stress and relaxing you. But, in today's society, there are few physical battles to be won, so the hormones and chemicals remain in your blood for long periods of time.