Stress can lead to many issues; use these tips to help yourself in the long run

Each year, cardiovascular research goes leaps and bounds past what was once thought impossible. Though stress has been a known factor in various health issues, the link between stress and heart health is consistently being researched. For women, this can be an even bigger and harder to spot issue.

Dr. Odayme Quesada, medical director for the Women’s Heart Center at The Christ Hospital Health Network, has spent her career researching these issues.

“It is increasingly recognized that stress is linked to increased risk of heart disease,” she says. “High levels of stress lead to an increase in inflammation, which leads to higher blood cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, which are all risk factors of heart disease.”

Unfortunately, it feels like stress cannot be avoided. Between work and daily life, stress seems to be a common thread among most people. In a recent article, written by Quesada and colleagues and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the role of psychological stress on cardiovascular disease in women is explored.

Certain stressors, such as socioeconomic disadvantage, childhood adversity, intimate partner violence and caregiving stress, are especially common among women, according to the article.

The article goes on to say that consequences of stress begin at a young age and persist throughout the course of a person’s life, which is especially true for women. This is because women take on most of the burden of negative psychosocial experiences that tend to be more common in young age and midlife.

As a doctor who works specifically with women and heart health, Quesada has tips and tricks for lowering this stress.

“Exercise, mindfulness and yoga are all ways in which people can reduce stress and improve their heart health,” she says. “In some cases, therapy can help create healthy ways to manage high levels of stress.”

In the Cincinnati area, there are many options for those living with or managing heart disease. The Heart and Mind Wellbeing Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is meant for patients, parents, siblings, partners or caregivers of those with congenital heart disease looking for emotional support and mental health care that is critical for families affected by heart disease.

The Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease at the University of Cincinnati is also an option for those needing patient care through community, wellness, rehabilitation and recovery programs. The department is also passionate about education and research.

Finally, the Women’s Heart Center at The Christ Hospital Health Network, where Quesada works as medical director, is committed to providing exceptional care for women with cardiovascular disease, according to its website. The center takes a comprehensive approach to women’s heart and vascular health that includes medical care, education, community outreach and research.