Here's how work stress might be hurting your heart

             Written by: Ehsan Siddiqui

23 September 2025

Modern work culture is demanding; the constant deluge of deliverables, deadlines, and "quick catch-ups" is stressful. While occasional stress is a part of life, constant work pressure can silently impact your heart health. Here's how.

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Stress causes the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which elevates blood pressure. This puts stress on the arteries over time and increases the risk of heart disease.

Blood Pressure

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Sleep worsens when your mind is racing from work-related stress. Poor sleep increases blood pressure, stress hormones, and impacts your overall health, leaving your heart more vulnerable over time.

Disrupted Sleep

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Chronic stress has been related to elevated LDL ("bad") cholesterol and blood vessel inflammation, both of which accelerate plaque accumulation and can be harmful to your heart health.

Cholesterol

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Research suggests that long-term stress can cause irregular heartbeats, particularly in individuals who are already at risk. This increases the risk of major problems with heart health.

Arrhythmias

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High-stress work environment often leads people to look for escape, which they usually find in habits like smoking, drinking, and overeating. All of these unhealthy coping habits are bad news for your heart.

Unhealthy Coping Habits

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