We often talk about stress as though it’s all in the mind.
But the truth is — the body listens.
And nowhere is this more true than in the heart.
When we’re stressed, the body goes into survival mode.
Your brain signals the release of adrenaline and cortisol —
hormones designed to help you fight or flee.
Your heart starts to race.
Your blood pressure rises.
Your blood vessels constrict.
Your breathing becomes shallow.
Muscles tighten. Digestion slows.
And if this goes on for long enough… the system begins to wear down.

Chronic stress is not just unpleasant — it’s dangerous.

It can lead to:
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Inflammation of the arteries
• Worsening angina
• And even heart attacks — particularly in vulnerable individuals.

There’s even a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy — or “broken heart syndrome” — where extreme emotional distress mimics a heart attack.

But here’s the tragedy:
Most people don’t link their symptoms to stress.
They come with chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness — and fear.
And when the tests come back normal, they feel dismissed.
But just because the tests are normal doesn’t mean you’re fine.
The heart remembers every insult — not just the ones that show up on scans.

So what can we do?
We must begin to take stress seriously —
not just as a psychological burden, but as a cardiovascular risk factor.
That means making space in our lives for calm.
For stillness.
For connection.
For movement — especially walking in nature.
For breath. For boundaries. For sleep.
Because the heart isn’t just a pump.
It’s a barometer of how we’re living.
And if we listen closely, it will tell us — when it’s time to slow down…
when it’s time to rest…
and when it’s time to begin again.

Here is a video I have done on this subject.

Stress and the heart: When emotions turn physical