How Does Stress Affect The Circulatory System?

How Does Stress Affect The Circulatory System?
by Adrian Whittle

Cardiovascular disease is the general term for diseases of the circulatory system,
commonly the heart, arteries and veins.

It is well documented that stress has a substantial affect on the heart. Some of this
stress can be good for the heart. Physical exercise, like going to the gym or playing
squash, can put the heart under a degree of stress that is, generally agreed, to be
beneficial provided the heart is not already suffering from any disease.

The bodys' way of dealing with a stressful situation is to prepare the body, including
the cardiovascular system, to deal with this situation. Adrenaline, norepinephrine,
cortisol and cortisone are increased and passed throughout the body via the blood.
This gives the body a sudden boost of energy that can be used to fight or flee from
the perceived stressful situation. This will cause the heart pressure to go up. In most
cases this is necessary but if this stress is prolonged or chronic then the heart is
forced to work harder for longer. This can seriously affect the heart. Long term high
blood pressure can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

It is also believed that the stress hormones make blood thicker and stickier in
preparation for any potential wound or injury. The thicker blood can clot easier and
thus stop blood flowing out of the body through the wound. In chronic stress that
does not result in a cut or wound this could cause blood clots to form within the
bloodstream and impact blood getting to and from the heart which leads to strokes.

Thicker blood also makes the circulation of blood to the extremities of the body
harder thus hands and feet could be more susceptible to cuts and bruising and take
longer to heal if stress is prolonged.

These are just a few of the areas were stress can impact the circulatory system.
Blood keeps all the organs of the body alive thus there is many more illnesses that
could be attributed to poor circulation in some way. In most cases the circulatory
system is robust and can work effectively in varying extremes. Chronic stress pushes
the circulatory system above these tolerances and changes how it operates. This has
health consequences unless a strategy is implemented to manage the stress.

About The Author

Adrian Whittle writes for You can find more on
common symptoms of stress and by visiting the site.

The circulatory system comprises the
heart, lungs, arteries, capillaries and
veins.These are some major organs
that have a host of responsibilities for
keeping the body alive. In terms of
the circulation, these organs move
oxgenated blood throughout the
body and return deoxygenated blood
to the heart. Oxgenated blood keeps
all the other organs and the body as
a whole functioning normally.If the
circulation is affected this knocks on
to the other organs like the kidneys,
liver, brain and others. The circulation,
as the name suggests, keeps the
body ticking over.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.