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The staggering impact of stress
This stealth condition manifests itself in a range of maladies and can take a toll on your health, your relationships and, when unchecked, the success of your business.
by Linda MelonePublished: February 01, 2012
Airline travel 22 weeks out of the year, combined with dining out four days each week and the demands of running a company, makes for “a pretty active schedule,” says Jim Corbett, 53, president and CEO of Aliso Viejo-based medical device company Vertos. “The demands on my time are constant. It’s a 24-hour world, with investors and employees who need my attention.”
After 20 years, the constant stress took its toll. Corbett landed in the hospital with chest pain, convinced he was having a heart attack. Doctors found nothing wrong with his heart, but warned Corbett that he’d need to make some changes or the next visit might not end as well.
Now, two years later, Corbett, who exercised sporadically in the past, schedules it five days a week. He’s also dropped 25 pounds, rarely orders dessert and allows himself only an occasional glass of wine.
“I feel so much better,” says Corbett, who still travels three to four times a month. “I think about things differently, like making sure I get enough rest.”
Heart disease: the No. 1 killer
Corbett may have narrowly missed becoming a statistic. Heart disease (the definition refers to several conditions; coronary artery disease is most common) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). Nearly 12 percent of Americans (27 million people) have heart disease, and it killed more than one out of four men and women who died in 2006. Alarmingly, half of the men and two-thirds of the women who die suddenly of coronary artery disease show no prior symptoms.
When heart attack symptoms are evident, they can vary between men and women. “In women, nausea and general malaise can sometimes be the only symptoms of a heart attack,” says Dr. Aseem D. Desai, a cardiologist with Mission Hospital. “Other times, heart attack symptoms may mimic those of indigestion or a gallbladder attack. Diabetics often lack typical symptoms due to problems with nerve feedback of pain.” Plus, a common abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation can produce subtle symptoms such as a lack of energy, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance without producing obvious palpitations, Dr. Desai adds.
The role of stress
A stressful job does more than keep you awake at night, staring at the ceiling. “Stress raises adrenaline levels, which can precipitate heart attack and dangerous heart rhythms leading to cardiac arrest,” says Desai. Stress also raises cortisol levels, a hormone that can promote fat around the abdominal area (belly fat) and is associated with increased heart disease risk.
Lifestyle and relationship issues, as well as stressful current events such as the economic downturn, add fuel to the fire.
“We’ve seen the effects on stress in periods following tragedies such as 9/11,” says Dr. Subbarao Myla, medical director of cardiac and endovascular labs and CV research at the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute. “Stress may not directly manifest in active coronary artery disease, but it often shows up as uncontrolled blood sugar and/or high blood pressure.”
Even the anticipation of a stressful workweek can be enough to trigger problems. “Heart attacks are the highest on Sunday night through Monday morning,” says Myla. “They’re also more common after a personal loss, such as the death of a spouse or even a pet.”
Recent reports of “broken heart syndrome” – a temporary heart condition brought on by a stressful situation – conclude that the time period after sudden stress may also result in chest pain and damage to the heart, even though the arteries to the heart appear normal.
Within the past 18 months, the number of heart attack patients showing up in the ER has spiked, says Myla. He attributes this trend in part to the recession.
“Patients may lose their insurance and put off routine visits and testing. And some of them can no longer afford their medications. Most people also do not participate in regular exercise, and many eat poorly, reaching for comfort foods – especially those high in sugar and starches.”
Self-medicating with alcohol also adds to the problem. “Alcohol may seem like it reduces stress, but it’s more likely the company of your friends you’re socializing with while drinking that helps,” says Myla. The result of these poor lifestyle factors quickly adds up to increases in blood pressure, waist circumference and heart disease risk.
Prevention: worth a pound of cure
Those with a family history of heart disease are at an even greater risk. A recent study shows a 40 to 60 percent increased risk of heart disease among those with at least one parent with coronary heart disease.
Two parents with heart disease prompted Melissa Lora, 49, chief financial officer of Taco Bell Corp., in Irvine, to take proactive steps. A history of heart disease on both sides of her family, work stress and an aggressive travel schedule created a perfect storm of heart disease risk factors. She decided to do something about it, rather than wait for a sign that might have not appeared until it was too late.
“I maintain a healthy eating routine and make sure I exercise regularly, even when traveling,” Lora says. She packs lightweight rubber exercise tubing so she can work out in her hotel room, or she uses the hotel gym. Working in the food business adds to the challenge. “When I eat out, I practice portion control and limit my alcohol consumption to one glass of wine and drink a lot of water,” she adds.
Plan for exercise
Both Corbett and Lora schedule exercise into their day planners and consider the time just as important as any business meeting. Lora exercises with a trainer and works out four days a week – on both weekend days and two days during the week. Corbett takes a slightly different approach and exercises in the middle of the day “to break the stress cycle.” Although this may not be easy to do for many people, Myla recommends a midday workout to all of his patients to re-energize, instead of relying on stimulants such as coffee.
“Take a brisk walk at lunch or do a few simple exercises in your cubicle. Squats, push-ups, stretching or yoga breaks the monotony and makes you feel fresh,” Myla says. “Just 10 to 15 minutes of back-to-back exercise offers cardiovascular and strength benefits.” Another option: Buy a pedometer and strive to walk 10,000 steps a day.
Part of a heart-healthy lifestyle also includes eating low-fat foods and the right kinds of fat. “Eat a Mediterranean-type diet high in fruits, vegetables, good fats [almonds, avocados], lean meats for protein [fish, chicken], soy, and complex carbohydrates,” says Desai.
Find balance
Professionals need to step back and gain perspective on their lifestyle habits, says Dr. James Lindberg, founder of the Lindberg Medical Center in Santa Ana.
“Make good nutrition and exercise a priority, along with an annual physical exam that includes an evaluation of heart disease risk factors. If you’re not seeing your doctor on a regular basis, these risk factors can get further out of balance.”
In addition, make it a point to maintain close relationships and a network of friends, and practice stress reduction (meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, etc.), all of which helps to reduce your risks, Lindberg says. “For those who’ve had a heart attack, aside from medical management [drugs, for example], it’s all about maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reverse the process.”
Prevention includes a combination of diet and exercise, as well as making the right choices, says Lora.
“Time management is the biggest challenge. You simply have to make the time and work through your schedule to figure out what works for your particular needs, whether it’s the morning, night or middle of the day.”
Fact: Heart attack symptoms include sudden chest pain – typically radiating to the left arm or left side of the neck – shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations and sweating.
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After 20 years, the constant stress took its toll. Corbett landed in the hospital with chest pain, convinced he was having a heart attack. Doctors found nothing wrong with his heart, but warned Corbett that he’d need to make some changes or the next visit might not end as well. Now, two years later, Corbett, who exercised sporadically in the past, schedules it five days a week. He’s also dropped 25 pounds, rarely orders dessert and allows himself only an occasional glass of wine. “I feel so much better,” says Corbett, who still travels three to four times a month. “I think about things differently, like making sure I get enough rest.” Heart disease: the No. 1 killer Corbett may have narrowly missed becoming a statistic. Heart disease (the definition refers to several conditions; coronary artery disease is most common) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). Nearly 12 percent of Americans (27 million people) have heart disease, and it killed more than one out of four men and women who died in 2006. Alarmingly, half of the men and two-thirds of the women who die suddenly of coronary artery disease show no prior symptoms. When heart attack symptoms are evident, they can vary between men and women. “In women, nausea and general malaise can sometimes be the only symptoms of a heart attack,” says Dr. Aseem D. Desai, a cardiologist with Mission Hospital. “Other times, heart attack symptoms may mimic those of indigestion or a gallbladder attack. Diabetics often lack typical symptoms due to problems with nerve feedback of pain.” Plus, a common abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation can produce subtle symptoms such as a lack of energy, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance without producing obvious palpitations, Dr. Desai adds. The role of stress A stressful job does more than keep you awake at night, staring at the ceiling. “Stress raises adrenaline levels, which can precipitate heart attack and dangerous heart rhythms leading to cardiac arrest,” says Desai. Stress also raises cortisol levels, a hormone that can promote fat around the abdominal area (belly fat) and is associated with increased heart disease risk. Lifestyle and relationship issues, as well as stressful current events such as the economic downturn, add fuel to the fire. “We’ve seen the effects on stress in periods following tragedies such as 9/11,” says Dr. Subbarao Myla, medical director of cardiac and endovascular labs and CV research at the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute. “Stress may not directly manifest in active coronary artery disease, but it often shows up as uncontrolled blood sugar and/or high blood pressure.” Even the anticipation of a stressful workweek can be enough to trigger problems. “Heart attacks are the highest on Sunday night through Monday morning,” says Myla. “They’re also more common after a personal loss, such as the death of a spouse or even a pet.” Recent reports of “broken heart syndrome” – a temporary heart condition brought on by a stressful situation – conclude that the time period after sudden stress may also result in chest pain and damage to the heart, even though the arteries to the heart appear normal. Within the past 18 months, the number of heart attack patients showing up in the ER has spiked, says Myla. He attributes this trend in part to the recession. “Patients may lose their insurance and put off routine visits and testing. And some of them can no longer afford their medications. Most people also do not participate in regular exercise, and many eat poorly, reaching for comfort foods – especially those high in sugar and starches.” Self-medicating with alcohol also adds to the problem. “Alcohol may seem like it reduces stress, but it’s more likely the company of your friends you’re socializing with while drinking that helps,” says Myla. The result of these poor lifestyle factors quickly adds up to increases in blood pressure, waist circumference and heart disease risk. Prevention: worth a pound of cure Those with a family history of heart disease are at an even greater risk. A recent study shows a 40 to 60 percent increased risk of heart disease among those with at least one parent with coronary heart disease. Two parents with heart disease prompted Melissa Lora, 49, chief financial officer of Taco Bell Corp., in Irvine, to take proactive steps. A history of heart disease on both sides of her family, work stress and an aggressive travel schedule created a perfect storm of heart disease risk factors. She decided to do something about it, rather than wait for a sign that might have not appeared until it was too late. “I maintain a healthy eating routine and make sure I exercise regularly, even when traveling,” Lora says. She packs lightweight rubber exercise tubing so she can work out in her hotel room, or she uses the hotel gym. Working in the food business adds to the challenge. “When I eat out, I practice portion control and limit my alcohol consumption to one glass of wine and drink a lot of water,” she adds. Plan for exercise Both Corbett and Lora schedule exercise into their day planners and consider the time just as important as any business meeting. Lora exercises with a trainer and works out four days a week – on both weekend days and two days during the week. Corbett takes a slightly different approach and exercises in the middle of the day “to break the stress cycle.” Although this may not be easy to do for many people, Myla recommends a midday workout to all of his patients to re-energize, instead of relying on stimulants such as coffee. “Take a brisk walk at lunch or do a few simple exercises in your cubicle. Squats, push-ups, stretching or yoga breaks the monotony and makes you feel fresh,” Myla says. “Just 10 to 15 minutes of back-to-back exercise offers cardiovascular and strength benefits.” Another option: Buy a pedometer and strive to walk 10,000 steps a day. Part of a heart-healthy lifestyle also includes eating low-fat foods and the right kinds of fat. “Eat a Mediterranean-type diet high in fruits, vegetables, good fats [almonds, avocados], lean meats for protein [fish, chicken], soy, and complex carbohydrates,” says Desai. Find balance Professionals need to step back and gain perspective on their lifestyle habits, says Dr. James Lindberg, founder of the Lindberg Medical Center in Santa Ana. “Make good nutrition and exercise a priority, along with an annual physical exam that includes an evaluation of heart disease risk factors. If you’re not seeing your doctor on a regular basis, these risk factors can get further out of balance.” In addition, make it a point to maintain close relationships and a network of friends, and practice stress reduction (meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, etc.), all of which helps to reduce your risks, Lindberg says. “For those who’ve had a heart attack, aside from medical management [drugs, for example], it’s all about maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reverse the process.” Prevention includes a combination of diet and exercise, as well as making the right choices, says Lora. “Time management is the biggest challenge. You simply have to make the time and work through your schedule to figure out what works for your particular needs, whether it’s the morning, night or middle of the day.” Fact: Heart attack symptoms include sudden chest pain – typically radiating to the left arm or left side of the neck – shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations and sweating. |
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