Cardiologists: stress can destroy your heart and blood vessels

Scientists know that stress can lead to the development of heart disease and stroke. But only now they understand exactly how it happens, The Times of India reports. It turns out that stress causes increased activity in the amygdala of the brain. This resulted in enhanced development of bone marrow leukocytes and the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels.

Experts have scanned cerebrum and bone marrow, studied the spleen activity and the presence of inflammation in the arteries in 293 patients. Then there was the period of observation (almost 4 years). During this time, 22 patients had problems with the cardiovascular system, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, angina pectoris and peripheral vascular disease.

In increased amygdala activity the risk of problems was greater but the challenges themselves had been manifested earlier. Also in the increased activity of the gland the increased activity of the bone marrow and inflammation in the arteries were observed. All of this may increase the risk of heart problems and blood vessels.

By the way, previous studies of people with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder have revealed the following: those with the highest levels of stress had the highest rates of activity in amygdala, and the large number of signs of inflammation in the blood and in the blood vessels walls.

Source: MEDdaily