The Effect of Stress on Cardiovascular Disorders
A cardiovascular disorder is any disorder effecting the heart and
circulatory system. There is evidence that links stress plays a role
in the development of two types of cardiovascular disorders,
hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary heart disease (CHD),
which reduces the flow of blood to the heart.
Stress may directly cause cardiovascular problems by; rising heart
rate which wears the lining of the blood vessels, increasing blood
pressure which causes too much pressure on the blood vessels resulting
in damage, also mounting glucose levels leading to blocked blood
vessels. Stress can also have an effect on our lifestyle, we may find
that smoking or drinking helps to take away the strain, yet this can
have an immense negative effect on our cardiovascular system.
Krantz et al (1991) devised a study to look into the extent to which
mental stress could be revealed to enlarge the heart condition called
Myocardial Ischemia, also for patients suffering coronary artery
disease; they looked to see if they reacted in a different way to
those without cardiovascular problems. The test involved patients
undertaking three mental tasks: arithmetic; a Stroop test; and
simulation of public speaking. It was concluded that there is a direct
link among performing a mild cognitive task and a psychological
activity that could harm the cardiovascular system. Not all the
patients reacted the same way so importance must be given to
individual differences playing a role in responsiveness. Although this
study does maintain the idea that stress can cause cardiovascular
disorders it does have its ...
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...o lower lymphocyte count. Some mice were implanted
with cancer. After three days of ten minutes of rotation per hour,
mice were more likely to develop tumours than control mice given no
stress. A criticism of this study could be that the study involved
mice so therefore caution must be taken when generalising universally
as humans could have different reactions. Despite this criticism, the
study have proven that under stressful situations the immune system is
more likely to be low so as a result infections and diseases are a
greater threat to the human body.
When looking at studies undertaken by Riley, Cohen et al,
Kiecolt-Glaser and the GAS model provided by Selye the effects of
stress on the immune system can be clearly seen. Stress suppresses the
immune system, leaving the body susceptible to illness and diseases.
The term ‘stress’ was generally thought to have been a concept created by Robert Hooke in the 17th century. He worked on the design of physical structures, such as bridges; his concept of stress came from how much pressure a structure could withstand. However, Lazarus (1993) pointed out that the term ‘stress’ has been used as far back as the 14th century, when it meant hardship or adversity. Back then it referred to the external stressor, such as the death of a spouse or financial worry; in the 20th century, there are many different schools of thought on this area. Hans Selye (1956), brought together the work of Cannon and Bernard and devised a comprehensive system of physiological stress; which he termed the ‘General Adaptation Syndrome’, and is a 3-stage process. He theorised that a certain level of stress called ‘eustress’ (Cox, 1978) could actually be beneficial to our overall performance. Later In 1976, Cox & Mackay devised another model called the ‘Transactional model’. This model takes into account the individual differences in the perception of the amount of stress experienced by the person. The main difference between these two models is that Selye’s model only accounts for the physiological side of stress, whereas Cox’s model takes into account both the physiological and psychological aspects of stress. Therefore, both models will have slight similarities and differences in their explanation for how stress occurs in individuals, which is the main focus of this essay.
Recently, studies of stress have shifted from demonstrating relationships between psychological factors and somatic outcomes, to investigations of the mediational pathways involved in these associations. For example, (Cohen and Williamson, 1991) have built on the work of Lazarus’ model by suggesting that once an environmental event is encountered, it is appraised, and an affective response is made. After this response is made, a cascade of behavioral and physiological processes is activated. Behavioral factors such as increased alcohol use, reduced exercise, changes in sleep quantity/quality, and changes in diet, have shown to be related to stress. In turn, stress-related changes are associated with many hormonal fluctuations known to influence susceptibility to disease (Schedlowski and Tewes, 1999).
Chorousos et al. (1988) define stress as “the recognition by the body of a stressor and therefore the state of threatened homeostasis”. Schaffer (2000) defines stress as “the arousal of mind and body in response to demands made on them. And according to Sapolsky (1994 p7) a stressor is anything that throws the body out of homeostatic balance, for example, an illness, loud noise, an injury etc. Cox (1978 p. 180) defines stress as a “complex and dynamic system of transaction between the person and his environment”. Based on the published definitions of stress, the author therefore defines stress as anything that causes the body to be uncomforted. Stress can be caused by several different factors ranging from physical (such as fear of something dangerous) to emotional such as worry over children, job, marriage etc.
Although gross medical advancements have allowed the human population to live longer and fuller lives without the threat of death from infectious diseases, it is apparent that we are now dealing with a different phenomenon that may be just as harmful to our health. The impact of psychological, social and environmental factors from our daily lives is having a drastic impression on the mental and physical wellbeing of our society. It has been shown in various studies that psychological and neurological factors influence the immune system and can have an effect on our health (Breedlove, Rosenzweig & Watson, 2010). As we allow various stressors, poisonous substances, unhealthy diets and lack of rest to overwhelm our existence, we are inevitably shortening our life span and killing our bodies.
Hojt, D. A. "Effects of Stress on Your Heart." EzineArticles.com. EzineArticles.com, n.d. Web. 04 June 2013.
People are exposed to numerous amounts of positive and negative events throughout their lifetime. No one is given a life that is perfect or free from difficulty. Whether it is a death in the family, chronic illness, house fire, automobile accident, or any other type of impacting event, stressors are bound to occur throughout one’s life. Since people are constantly exposed to stressors in life, it is essential that one is able to adequately cope. There are three types of responses to stress. The first is the positive stress response, which is a normal and brief response to stress and is characterized by a mild increase in heart rate (“Toxic Stress,” 2017). One example of a positive stress response could be the slight apprehension one feels before
The purpose of this paper is to define stress and how it effects the body's physiological systems. This paper will include the normal functions and organs involved in the following five physiological systems, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and musculoskeletal. This paper will also include a description of a chronic illness associated with each physiological system and how the illness is affected by stress.
This research paper concerns how individuals perceive stress and the serious effect on their psychological thought process and physical and mental health and how they can cope with their anxiety driven thoughts. Research was gathered using printed material obtained at the Syracuse Bird Library, and also using various online sources and scholarly journals. One printed source written by Frank Campbell addresses the health effects stress can have on an individual while author Richard Lazarus explores coping mechanisms individuals can use to attempt to get rid of the their stress. Author Bruce G. Charlton in his publication in the Journal of Medical Ethics, claims that stress is an empty word, with little value and explains the origin of the Stress. Robert Lazarus explains the concept of stress along with the ambiguity associated with the word. Ruth O’Hara explains what situations causes stress. While authors Carolyn Aldwin and Sandi Mann discuss coping and how to alleviate stress.
John Dowling states in his book, The GREAT Brain Debate, “excessive stress, can predispose to neurodegenerative disease” (154). The idea is that a person can actually become sick from too much stress on them. When someone becomes stressed “an increased release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands” is released throughout the body (Dowling 154). If there is an excessive amount of stress on a person, a disproportionate amount of glucocorticoids are released, which could lead to severe damage (Dowling 154). Some of the effects that can be brought about by excessive stress are depression of the immune system, gastric ulcers, and high blood pressure (Dowling 154).
In today’s society, life is fraught of troubles, deadlines, frustrations and demands. In the lives of many people, stress is so prevalent that it has become a way of life. According to many doctors and researchers stress refers to the response people have when facing circumstances that force them to act, change, or adjust in some way to maintain their footing, or to keep things balanced. Today, there are many important contributors to stress (called stressors) and the effects they cause to the human body and mind. Physical, cognitive and behavioral problems are some of the effects that stressors can contribute to the human body and mind. Stress can lead to financial problems, work problems, and relationship difficulties.
Everyone everywhere has experienced stress with something they have dealt with in life. Whether it is school, paying bills, managing a busy schedule or work, stress affects everyone. Although everyone experiences stress, many people don’t actually know what stress is. Stress is the physical response of the body to harmful situations that threaten someone’s well being. When someone says “stress”, the word is automatically associated with a negative effect on people but small doses of stress can benefit a person, if used to correctly. Everyone’s stress level is different and the amount of stress that can be handled varies from person to person but a stress overload will not benefit anyone. “When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body to allow you to act in a way to prevent injury” (“Stress Management Health Center”). The chemical that is released when stressed is known as cortisol, also known a stress hormone. “Cortisol is like a long-term form of adrenaline, produced in the adrenal gland when the body is under pressure” (“The Effects of Stress on Your Reproductive Health and Fertility”). Adrenaline is also released to send the body into, what is known as, emergency action (“Stress Symptoms, Signs and Causes”). This emergency action speeds up reactions preformed by the body and the mind. This is a way of protecting the body. While in emergency action, this stress caused by threatening situations can save your life. In emergency situations, you are given “extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on your brakes to avoid a car accident” (“Stress Management Health Center”). Signs of being in this emergency action are a racing heart, blood pressure rises, quickening of breath and tigh...
Stress affects individuals, organization and society in many ways. Acceptable levels of stress can be beneficial leading to increased productivity or detrimental resulting in emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and psychological changes like headaches, tiredness, accidents, irritability. Stranks. J (2005). It has also been linked to coronary heart disease in men and women HSE (2002). Other believe that stress is the primary cause of hypertension Cooper and Cartwright (1997).
There can be many different definitions of stressor, but the type that occurs in the stress response is physiological. Taking this into consideration, a stressor is anything that causes a person stress either physically or psychologically. It is something that is either inflicted on us by an outside force or something that we perceive in our mind. Stressors can take the form of an outside agent, an event, or an environmental condition. Anything in a person’s day to day life may be a stressor whether it is losing a job, a fight with a friend, or misplacing car keys. Stressors can have a wide range of effects on the body. It is responsible for decreasing performance and mental capacity. A stressor is one of the most important parts because it initiates the stress response.
Stress is “the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment or response.” Many people realize that stress has a great impact on psychological health; however, they do not realize that physical health can be compromised as well. When the body is put under stress, physiological changes take place, such as increased heart rate or blood pressure. Many individuals do not know the extent to which stress can impact their bodies because they cannot see the changes taking place. If stress is prolonged, physical symptoms may begin to arise. These symptoms are real; however, they may or may not be due to some sort of physical disorder. Stress-induced anxiety may begin to form within the individual because of a constant fear that they have a serious medical condition. The cycle will repeat itself with potentially worsening symptoms.
Stress on individuals can bring numerous numbers of health problems, for example; heart disease. Researches have declared that having stress increase heart rate and blood flow, and causes release of cholesterol and triglycerides into the bloodstream. Another example is the Alzheimer’s disease, stress could potentially worsen Alzheimer’s disease causing its brain lesions to form more quickly. Individuals should be aware that being stressed could lead to major problems in the long run, but with the proper care and staying positive could help prevent further damages.