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My mom recently got diagnosed with Afib. Heart things are so scary, aren't they? Well, don't stress about it because that's bad for your heart! What else can you do?
Sweat it out – Exercise can help counteract the harmful effects of chronic stress. For heart health, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity, such as brisk walking, most days of the week. People who exercise have a reduced physical response to stress – their blood pressure and heart rates don’t go up as high as people under stress who don’t exercise.
Get support – Research suggests that having a strong social support network – such as being married, having someone you can talk to and trust or belonging to one or more organizations or a religion – can reduce your stress level. A strong support system helps you take better care of yourself, too.
Seek treatment for depression and anxiety – Depression and anxiety can increase your risk of heart disease, or your risk of dying if you already have it. Ask your physician about treatment-and the stress-reduction techniques, therapy and medication that may help.
Work at reducing work-related stress – Studies show having a demanding job that offers you few opportunities to make decisions or provides little reward can increase your risk for heart disease. The risk increases when you experience a cluster of stresses, such as not having a strong support system or feeling chronically anxious. To prevent work-related burnout, set aside 10 minutes of down time each day to relax.
(Baptist)