How does chronic anxiety damage the heart?

Anxiety is the body's natural response to life's dangers. If anxiety lasts for a long time, it not only overloads the mind but also has a negative impact on the body. In addition, anxiety also has a significant impact on the health of the heart and blood vessels.

Experts say that prolonged anxiety and stress are among the main factors that increase the risk of heart attack . Events that cause prolonged anxiety and stress will increase the heart rate and push up blood pressure , according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Prolonged anxiety can damage the heart and increase the risk of heart attack. (PHOTO: PEXELS).

The heart and blood vessels are under constant stress. Over time, damage to the heart and blood vessels accumulates, increasing the risk of heart problems.

In addition, although anxiety and stress do not directly cause cardiovascular disease, they can aggravate existing cardiovascular problems. The mechanism of this phenomenon is that anxiety and stress will cause blood vessel spasms . Over time, the lining of the blood vessel wall will be damaged, leading to the formation of blood clots. The blood clot grows large enough to block the blood vessel, leading to a heart attack.

In addition, another health risk that people with anxiety and prolonged stress need to pay attention to is panic attacks . Panic attacks often present with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. These symptoms are quite similar to those of a heart attack. Therefore, patients need to know how to recognize the signs of a heart attack so that they can be taken to the emergency room promptly.

One of the biggest differences is that a panic attack peaks within 10 minutes, often accompanied by intense fear. Meanwhile, a heart attack causes chest pain that radiates to the jaw and arms.

If you don't know if your symptoms are a panic attack or a heart attack, experts recommend trying measures to help control the symptoms immediately. People need to find a quiet space to calm down the feeling of anxiety and stress at that time, and at the same time apply breathing regulation. However, if the symptoms do not change after trying, it is likely a heart attack, not a panic attack. The person should be taken to the hospital immediately, according to Healthline .