When you are in the middle of a stressful situation over which you have little control, impulses go to the brain and one part of the brain called the Hypothalamus is stimulated and this leads to increased production of Cortisol. This hormone can have a deleterious effect on the physiology. It can reduce your ability to fight infection and cancer.
Review in Neurosciences has shown that cortisol may be synthesized in certain cells in your skin, namely cells in your hair. Studies have shown that there is a basal level of cortisol in hair but if you are exposed to stressors this may increase to add to the cortisol that comes from the brain. Since cortisol can have drastic effects on the body in times of stress, take steps not to let stressful events get under your skin.
Stress, Cardiovascular Disease and you
If you are a hard working ambitious individual, one of the best things you can do while you feel well and have no signs or symptoms of disease, is to find out your risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke) and begin to take steps to reduce your risks while you are healthy. The best times, says President Kennedy, to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.
The standard Cardiovascular Risk factors include, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other lipid abnormalities, family history of heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Apart from these classic factors, work environment is playing a significant role in sickness and death from cardiovascular disease.
Overload, shift work, great responsibility without the ability to control outcome, interpersonal conflicts and lack of good communication with colleagues and supervisors are elements which contribute to the degree of stress that can cause harm to the blood vessels in the heart, the brain and the kidneys.
Identification and elimination of stressful hygiene factors should be undertaken, but beyond the removal of occupational stressors, each individual would be wise to take the challenge to assess her or propensity to develop a stress related disease, and learn some cognitive techniques that will take the stress out of stressful events and circumstances.
The connection between job stress and cardiovascular disease has been established. While companies are encouraged to reduce occupational risk factors, it is incumbent on each individual to protect his or her heart and brain.
Decide today that you are going to assess your risk of Cardiovascular Disease with your doctor, assess your stress level and learn valid scientific techniques that will reduce the negative impact of stress on physiology, and increase your ability to function well in difficult situations without concomitant ill effects.
Your risk of Cardiovascular Disease is changing automatically but never for the better, unless you decide to do something about it.