$Unique_ID{BRK01294}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Stress and Heart Attack}
$Subject{stress anxiety management mental emotional conditions heart attack
pressures work home problems problem life style stressful pressure condition
lifestyle lifestyles stresses anxieties myocardial infarction infarctions}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Stress and Heart Attack


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QUESTION:  I have tried to figure this out for myself, but between pressures
at work and problems at home, I fear I will develop a heart attack.  I am even
beginning to think I have real symptoms.  Can you please help me help myself?

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ANSWER:  You're already taken the first step by recognizing you have a
problem.  Now you have to figure out what aspects of your work and home life
are specifically causing the stress.  Try to evaluate those problems
realistically.  Are they leaving you drained, or feeling victimized, or are
they problems that can be overcome?  Could you perhaps look at these
"problems" as "challenges," therefore turning them into something positive to
triumph over.  In many cases, a stressful situation is created in the mind.
If you start by taking a positive attitude about obstacles to be overcome,
you'll begin to win the battle.
     There are several steps you can take to combat stress.  Begin by trying
to live a healthy lifestyle.  Reduce your heart disease risk factors.  Get
into good eating habits.  Try to cut out smoking, if you still do, or start by
cutting down.  Talk with your doctor about other measures you can take to keep
your heart healthy.
     Your emotional health is very important.  If you bog yourself down with
too many obligations, you may produce stress by putting pressure on yourself
to meet the demands you've given to yourself.  So, take control!  Set limits
on your time and energy.  Give yourself a break.
     Take time for yourself.  Go to an exercise class.  It'll make you feel
like you are doing something good for yourself.  Exercise helps reduce stress,
keeps you in shape, and produces hormones in the body that make you feel good.
Try to avoid getting into the rut of doing the same thing every day.
     Accept that stressful situations will arise.  Instead of swallowing them
and letting them eat you up inside, find a way to express your feelings.  It
is possible to do this without exploding.
     Reach out to people who love and care about you.  Sometimes a "pick me
up" phone call can do wonders.  Call someone who makes you feel good about
yourself, and when you get off the phone, you may have a fresh prospective on
your problems.
     Take a break to do something fun.  Read the comics, or something
inspirational.  Treat yourself to a good lunch, make yourself feel like you
deserve good things.
     Overcome each problem that arises one at a time.  If you see yourself as
facing three stressful problems, it can be overwhelming.  So tackle one, and
when you finish dealing with that one, take a little break and tackle the
next.  You can surely solve one problem at a time.
     If some of these steps towards reducing stress help you, then you are on
the road to success.
     Stress and its effects seem to be a sign of our times, but they probably
existed back in prehistoric days as well.  What is unique to our society is
the ability to cope more effectively with such problems.  If you or anyone
else believes they are on the verge of an acute illness such as a heart
attack, a thorough examination by an attentive physician that can lead to
reassurances that all is well may be the best treatment of all.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.