“Heart Attack”….When this word is uttered by Physician, even a “Lion Hearted” person’s heart skips a beat, sweat appears on forehead & hands begin to tremble. The reasons are many, including survival, post discharge life & professional modifications & of course cost involved in immediate & long term treatment.
A decade earlier patient would tell us “Doctor, we will have to contact our children, in decision making”. But, now they say “Sir, I have two small Children, please do something, money doesn’t matter.” With increasing prosperity, Heart diseases are now common in Younger age patients. In today’s “Racing Life style” traditional risk factors for heart attack (Diabetes, High BP, Cigarette smoking &High Cholesterol) are on rise.
“STRESS” along with above mentioned factors, contribute to an alarming rise of heart attacks, especially in younger populations. It is time to for Medical Fraternity and laymen alike to introspect & deal with the fact stress leading to heart problems.
STRESS :
Stress, is inevitable part of everybody’s life, especially that of Doctor’s. A patient or two in ICU is enough to give a doctor a sleepless night. Dealing with multitude of problems in OPD’s wards & OTs, striving to give best possible care to patients adds up to stress level of a Medical practitioner. Detiorating patient- doctor relationship, litigation prone society and the “Rat Race” in profession multiplies the stress level.
This is truth in any profession, especially in ITES, where deadline has to be met, need to develop quality products catering to world market, added with abnormal working hours thereby disturbing Circadian Rhythm of body leads to a lot of Physical & Mental Stress.
Stress is a feeling of Physical or Emotional tension as a response to events which makes one feel angry, nervous, helpless or frustrated. It’s body’s reaction to challenge. Maybe a demanding boss, morning gridlock of traffic or soured relationship with a friend or a family member. Whatever the cause, its likely one experiences on daily basis.
In short bursts, it may have positive effects such as finishing intended jobs or meeting deadlines. It can be good thing, if it motivates one to achieve something. But, Chronic, overwhelming stress can have a negative impact on your on one’s physical, mental & emotional wellbeing. Knowing how to spot the signs & symptoms of chronic stress, can help one to stay aware & address the issue before they harm the health.
How does stress cause Heart Attack?
Once a person is under severe stress, there is surge of hormones in body which leads to famous “Fight or Fight Reaction “. Long term stress can lead to have constant elevated level of these hormones, have direct deleterious effect on heart. These hormones also increases level of BP and Blood sugar levels, which are traditional risk factors for Heart Attack. Unfortunately, stress level cannot be “measured” unlike BP or blood sugar. Hence, it is difficult to quantify what level of stress is detrimental to heat disease.
How to beat stress & save the Heart?
Effect of stress on heart is highly individual, as stress taking & dealing capacity of every individual is different. Some are really “Cool Cats” while others are “Speeding Stallions”. Some of the ways to beat stress are “5 S’s”
- Speak: Share your stresses with your Spouse, friends and relatives. They may suggest a way out. Don’t let your emotions pent up in you. Let them out. Sometimes it’s not a good idea to be “Gentleman”.
- Solution: Try to find best amicable solution to the problem, which need not always be perfect. Have Courage to change things which you can, and humbleness to accept which you can’t.
- Socialize: Have array of friends and attend social, cultural and family events. This takes your mind away from workplace problems. You may even meet a “Solution” to your problem.
- Sports: Take up a sport which your age and body permits. This helps to relax and increases “Endorphin Levels” which are happy hormones.
- Spirituality: Spirituality in true sense, like Meditation and soul searching will give strength & capacity to deal with the stress causing problem. A calm mind may reveal possible easy solution to the problems which are stressing you out.
The other “2 S’s” i.e., Smoking and Spirits (Alcohol) are strict No No, as these have deleterious effect on heart and other body organs. Traditional risk factors such as BP, Sugars & Cholesterol are also increased by these vices. Hence, these “Solutions” multiply the risk for heart attack rather than relieve the stress.
My advice to general public and professional colleagues is to have a regular health check up to detect & estimate level of traditional risk factors. Control these risk factors. Learn to “Let Go” and “Stop to Smell Roses” in this race of life. Have a healthy life.
