Stress is when life's demands seem too heavy. You feel anxious and tense and may be aware that your heart is beating faster. A certain amount of stress in our lives is unavoidable and a little may even be good for us.
Some people claim they can accomplish more if they have a work deadline.
Too much stress, however, is harmful. Your body responds to stressful situations by raising your blood pressure and making your heart work harder. This is particularly dangerous for an older person who may already have heart or artery disease or high blood pressure. Stress is more likely to be harmful if you feel helpless to affect the problem or situation. Your body reacts to stress in other ways, too.