Member: I had a mild heart attack three years ago and worry about it happening again all the time. Can my worrying actually lead to another heart attack?
—Sandy, Bemidji
Doctor: Good question, Sandy. Heart disease remains the most common disease afflicting Americans, particularly among the elderly. Nearly 3 in 10 elderly patients 65 and older report some form of heart disease. That rate of occurrence is higher than cancer and stroke combined. So it’s natural to be concerned, especially if you already have a history of heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a few recent studies examining psychosocial therapies—which involve both psychological and social aspects—have shown to be promising in the prevention of second heart attacks. In terms of a broader link between stress and heart disease, there is a lot we still don’t know.
But managing stress is always a good idea for your overall health, since stress can affect behaviors and factors—like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and physical inactivity—that increase the risk of heart disease.
One of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety while improving heart health is to engage in regular physical activity. Some studies have found a heavily sedentary lifestyle—one that includes excessive sitting or watching four or more hours of TV a day—can substantially increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Which is why the AHA recommends everyone get 150 minutes of moderate activity each week (or 30 minutes a day, five days a week).
In general, staying active and taking steps to combat other risk factors for heart disease is a good idea, as is talking with your doctor or cardiologist about any feeling of being overwhelmed by stress.