Heart-Healthy Living Manage Stress

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Research suggests that an emotionally upsetting event, particularly one involving anger, can serve as a trigger for a heart attack or angina in some people. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Some of the ways people cope with stress — drinking alcohol, using other substances, smoking, or overeating — are not healthy ways to manage stress.

Learning how to manage stress and cope with problems can improve your mental and physical health. Consider healthy stress-reducing activities such as:

• Talking to a professional counselor
• Participating in a stress management program
• Practicing meditation
• Being physically active
• Trying relaxation techniques
• Talking with friends, family, and community or religious support systems

Ask your healthcare provider what kinds of stress management activities are safe for you.