India, Oct. 6 -- Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can take a silent toll on the heart. Growing evidence shows that long-term psychological stress is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, acting through both biological pathways and everyday habits. When the body perceives a threat, it switches on the "fight-or-flight" response. Adrenaline and cortisol surge, heart rate and blood pressure rise, and blood vessels constrict.

"Over time, repeated activation can damage the endothelium (the vessel lining), promote inflammation, and reduce heart-rate variability, a marker of the heart's ability to adapt", Dr Anjan Siotia, Director of Cardiology at BM Birla Heart Hospital, Kolkata, tells Health S...