This Proves The Link Between Stress And Heart Attacks
How Stress Can Literally Kill Your Heart
PA/The Huffington Post UK
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Stressing yourself out is a phrase we're all familiar with, but how many of us take it seriously? If you allow yourself to consistently experience high levels of stress, you may be endangering your heart.
Scientists have found a link between stress hormones and bacteria that may explain how emotional shock or over-exertion can trigger heart attacks.
Scientists found that hormones released during stress caused thin sheets of bacteria called biofilms on arterial walls to disperse.
In the process, the bugs produce enzymes that may free clots from plaque deposits on artery walls into the bloodstream.
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US lead researcher Dr David Davies, from Binghamton University in New York, said: "Our hypothesis fitted with the observation that heart attack and stroke often occur following an event where elevated levels of catecholamine hormones are released into the blood and tissues, such as occurs during sudden emotional shock or stress, sudden exertion or over-exertion."
The scientists grew different species of bacteria taken from diseased carotid arteries affected by atherosclerosis, the build-up of thick plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
They found multiple bacterial species living as biofilms in the walls of every carotid artery tested. Certain molecular signals can cause the biofilms to release enzymes that digest the scaffolding anchoring the bacteria in place.
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Tips For A Healthy Heart
Get Moving(01 of10)
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Ten minutes of exercise a day can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease. Some basic, quick exercises include taking the stairs at work, jogging around the block or taking the dog for a brisk walk. (credit:Getty )
Fortify Your Diet(02 of10)
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What you eat makes a big difference for your heart. Try incorporating leafy greens, like spinach and chard, into your diet, substituting sugary snacks with fresh fruit and doubling up on veggies in recipes. (credit:AP)
Have Fun With Exercise(03 of10)
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Exercise doesn't always have to be a drag! Some fun exercise options include jumping rope, biking, swimming or dancing. (credit:Getty )
Lower Your Risk For High Blood Pressure(04 of10)
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To lower your risk of high blood pressure, eat fruits and vegetables at the beginning of your meal, try to maintain a weight in the “healthy” or “ideal” range and limit your alcohol intake. (credit:Getty )
Avoid Sitting (05 of10)
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Surprisingly, both smoking and sitting in a chair all day increase your risk of heart attack about the same amount. Get on your feet by walking around during television commercial breaks, standing up while you’re on the phone or getting off the bus one stop early. (credit:Getty)
Quit Smoking (06 of10)
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Doctors recommend these tips if you're trying to quit smoking:1. Focus on the reason you want to quit.2. Ask a doctor for help quitting.3. Get support from friends and family.4. Relax! Stress makes quitting harder. (credit:Getty )
Get A Better Night's Sleep (07 of10)
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To work toward a better night’s sleep, try keeping a sleep diary to learn your patterns, and follow a strict sleep schedule, even during the weekend. (credit:Getty )
Adjust Your Sleep Schedule (08 of10)
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Doctors recommend turning off any digital screens at least one hour before bed. Then, do something relaxing like reading a book or listening to soothing music. (credit:Getty )
Whole Grains (09 of10)
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Whole grains can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Substitute whole grains into your diet with foods like whole-wheat bagels, wild rice and whole-wheat tortillas. (credit:Getty )
Eat More Fruits And Veggies (10 of10)
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Sneak more fruits and veggies into your diet by having a fruit salad before dinner. Try fresh salsa with a few chips for a healthy snack or challenge yourself to try new fruits like jicama or papaya. (credit:Getty )
The enzymes have the potential to attack nearby tissues, causing the arterial plaques to rupture and release clumps of material into the blood stream.
To test the theory, the scientists exposed biofilms formed on the inner walls of silicone tubing to the stress hormone norepinephrine. Levels of the hormone were similar to those found in the body following stress or exertion.
"At least one species of bacteria - Pseudomonas aeruginosa - commonly associated with carotid arteries in our studies, was able to undergo a biofilm dispersion response when exposed to norepinephrine, a hormone responsible for the fight-or-flight response in humans," said Dr Davies. Norepinephrine is also known as noradrenalin.
The freeing of clots caused by biofilm dispersal could trigger a heart attack, say the scientists.
The research, published in the online journal mBio, suggests that managing bacteria within an arterial plaque site may be as important as managing cholesterol, they add.