If you think the current economic crisis is hurting only your pocketbook, think again. Researchers say the decline of Wall Street, the mortgage crisis, and the looming threat of layoffs may take a heavy toll on your heart, especially if you are already at risk for cardiac problems.
“Financial stress can cause your whole cardiovascular system to be off,” says Louise Hawkley, PhD, associate director of the Social Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. “Elevated stress hormones constrict the blood vessels and create a vicious cycle where blood scrapes the cells and aggravates atherosclerotic plaque, which increases your risk for a cardiovascular event like a heart attack.”
She adds that new research suggests the social isolation of being laid off from a job can compound the problem. One study found that older workers who lost their jobs had a two-fold increase in the risk for subsequent heart attack and stroke.
Financial stress also contributes to behavior proven to increase heart disease risk. Smokers, for example, are 13% less likely to quit during economic hard times, and ex-smokers are more likely to relapse. Drinkers tend to drink more, which drives up blood pressure, and alcoholics who have quit drinking are more prone to relapse when exposed to chronic stress. “People also eat less heart-healthy foods during times of stress—more sweets and carbohydrates,” adds Redford Williams, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University.
So what can you do if the bad economy has you worried about your ticker? First, don’t catastrophize. Take stock of your own situation and make sure you are not panicked about something that hasn’t happened yet. But if your situation is dire, it’s crucial not to isolate yourself. “Sharing concerns with friends and getting some social support can make your stress hormones go down and improve your health,” says Dr. Williams, who also recommends exercise, yoga, and meditation.
However, he adds, the situation is serious, and stress researchers don’t have all the answers. “You can run all you want and meditate all you want, but if you don’t have the money to pay the bills, you are really stuck.”
(PHOTO 123RF)
By Amy O’Connor
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Comments (15)
i’m totally agree with this research. I have more chestpain lately due to short on money.
my husband has already had a triple bypass in 2001 & he has been getting chest pains also. also my 401k is really down, we will loose our house, no more overtime anymore & the stress will really begin now. i think everyone should really look at the economy now and think twice about it!! it’s time stop blaming others and get it done now before everyone goes down, then where will be, except the rich they do not have to worry at all??
Great, people are going to have literal heart attacks over this now, I hope Bush is happy with himself.
You are right Richard Thomas, I forgot Bush had a second job of handing out mortgages to unqualified people who happily accepted them. He must have also been the one behind 9/11 which ultimately set our economy into tough times. It is easy to blame someone for something when you do not know any better.
Political partisanship won’t help us. Both sides of the political aisle in Congress wrought this mess — the next president won’t be able to change this; a thorough house and senate cleaning is in order.
Euclid,
One could also argue that since we went to war over non-existant WMDs, Bush should take a large portion of the blame, having used 9/11 as his spring board.
However, yes, there are a lot of factors that go into a financial crisis like this one.
Lots of factors greed..not living in an honest manner- what goes around comes around… the whole ideology of me me me … is boomeranging… and the ones who have not lived with integrity will feel the pain. If you are Christian… then Thou Shalt Not Kill… is a commandment… any Christian who voted for the war ie… Bush should really think about what they have done.. how many innocent people have died because of this decision. Yes, heart attack will be abundant amongst those whose heart has been closed to love and caring.
Why cann’t we take responsibilty for our actions? Borrowers asked for more money than they could afford. Banks did not look at the applications to verify the income to support these mortgages. If someone stupid asks for something and a less brilliant person gives it to them, who is at fault???
I’m trying to keep an optimistic outlook.
The legendary Doris Day said it best:
“Que Sera, Sera” ! :-)
I think Euclid needs his head examined. Its a proven fact that George Bush has been greasing the bank accounts of the Corporate rich at the expense of the middle class.All our lumber and paper mills in Canada are gone because Bush made an agreement with his corporate Gangsters to buy paper and lumber from Brazi, so they can all make a bigger profit. Think of it,……low wages, no pension plans, no benefits to pay for etc, etc.I could fill a book about this man and his corporate friends.When you see him ask him where his friend Kenny boy Lay is.
Here’s a site with a really interesting perspective on the financial crisis and the health of the soul.
http://www.robertphoenix.com
There are many reasons for the financial situation in which we find ourselves. Bob is right on with his comments regarding one aspect. To totally blame the financial issues on George Bush is a case of being uninformed. (Also for Euclid to say George Bush was behind 9/11 is absurd.) The stress caused by the divisiveness within our own country is what will affect the condition of people’s hearts. While we are diverse in our perspectives, for us to blame one person contributes to the divisiveness.
BUSH IS OUT OF TOUCH & SO IS MCCAIN. THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE UNHEALTHY IF HE GETS ELECTED. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THE ILL AFFECTS OF THE ECONOMY. I,VE HAD TRIPLE BYPASS & 21/2 YRS LATER 5 STENTS PUT IN ALL FROM STRESS , 16HR DAYS,JUST TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION & MEDICAL BILLS. LATER IN OHIO
A lot of talk about the financial issue over the medea has been about a lack of communication between all the parties involved down to the man on the street like you and I. I believe this could be true, but my issue is when we communicate,we must be able to trust the people we are communicating with. Since I like a lot of others have lost trust,in the past actions of our government and their friends, but not hope in their future actions, how can we believe their communications with us. We need to pray people. That is where my hope is coming from.
to all of you fixated on blaming President Bush for any and everything… news flash * we have a house and senate, full of both democrats and republicans, that fully participate (or don’t) in governing our democracy. The US is not a dictatorship and the president (whoever he is, was, or will be) doesn’t do or cause anything alone or in a vacuum. It’s immature, irresponsible, and totally unproductive to solely blame the person elected to fill the leadership position for things that we all participated in corrupting. When a project is successful, the leader looks good - but the entire group contributed to the results… AND when a project fails, the leader looks bad - but the entire group contributed to the results… Why don’t you try driving a car with someone else controlling the accelerator and someone else controlling the brake, all while encountering other cars being driven by someone who is not the one controlling the accelerator and brakes. There’s going to be chaos and catastrophes and who’s fault will it be - the one with his hands on the wheel????
Another News Flash: everything the press “states” is not necessarily true or the entire truth. Weapons capable of mass destruction and components of WMDs were found in Iraq, and are also known to have been moved to Syria and to Iran. There are plenty of dead people who wouldn’t be dead if that were not true. The people there don’t know how to do anything but Hate - they hate anyone who doesn’t agree with them and/or support them in their hatred. We, on the other hand, have the freedom to disagree, and up to this point that has been conducted with some level of expected “civility”. Otherwise we will become just like them - people who can’t do anything but Hate and teach our children to hate.