Does Stress Cause Cholesterol to Rise?

Does Stress Cause Cholesterol to Rise?

Indeed, stress can increase cholesterol, which is a fatty material present in your cells. Therefore, continue reading to find out more about the connection between stress and cholesterol levels and strategies for managing both.

Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like material found in your body’s cells. Your body utilizes cholesterol to make hormones and vitamin D, among other essential biological processes.

Excessive cholesterol, especially “bad” cholesterol like LDL cholesterol, can mix with other chemicals in your body. Plaque is then formed as a result. After that, plaque can accumulate in your arteries, which can cause health issues, particularly heart-related disorders.

The body is affected by stress in several ways. It could raise cholesterol levels, for example. By taking up unhealthy behaviors as a coping mechanism, this might occur indirectly. But a direct biological connection could also exist.

Stress triggers a number of physiological responses in the body, such as modifications to blood components and hormone levels. Higher cholesterol might result from both of these occurrences.

There are a number of possibilities, but scientists are unsure of the exact relationship between stress and cholesterol. This article examines the possible causes of this as well as strategies for lowering the risk of cholesterol issues brought on by stress.

Excessive stress and worry might raise your heart risk and cholesterol.

At your favorite restaurant, you choose to order salad and grilled fish rather than the fried combination plate. You are trying to reduce your cholesterol. It is causing you stress since you are so worried about it. You may be surprised to learn that stress, regardless of its cause, can raise your cholesterol levels. Your chance of developing heart disease is subsequently increased.

How can stress make my cholesterol rise?

Stress -> Cortisol -> Elevated Cholesterol
You have likely heard of the “fight-or-flight response.” The body’s physical response to a stressful circumstance is this. Your defenses kick in, readying you to either flee or stay and confront the attacker. Your body will go through this process more frequently the more stressed you are. Your systems are always on alert when you are under stress because they believe you must always be prepared to fight or run. When your body gets ready for action, you could experience superficial symptoms like perspiration or an elevated heart rate. The hormones that are being created and circulated through your system as it gets ready to react are invisible.

Cortisol is one of these hormones. Through the delivery of glucose to the body, cortisol aids in the fight-or-flight response. What occurs when your body is in this fight-or-flight state and under continual stress? Cortisol keeps your blood sugar levels up by working overtime. As a result, cholesterol levels rise.

Fuels for Metabolism –> LDL Production in the Liver –> High levels of cholesterol
Known as the “bad cholesterol,” LDL The creation of metabolic fuels, including glucose, is triggered by stress, which also causes the liver to release cortisol. The higher glucose and fatty acid levels cause it to start producing more LDL, the harmful cholesterol.

Elevated Cholesterol –> Arterial Hardening –> Heart Attack/Heart Disease
Your arteries are damaged when your blood contains too much cholesterol. The cholesterol accumulates on the walls of your arteries. Your arteries gradually “harden,” or narrow, as a result of this. Blood flow is impeded or stopped completely when this occurs. The inability of blood to reach the heart causes a heart attack.

The body’s response to stress

A person’s body instinctively primes its muscles, heart, and other organs and functions for a high-energy, fight-or-flight reaction when they are under stress.

A person’s body will respond in certain ways whether they choose to flee or remain and confront the threat.

The hormones cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (adrenaline) will be released by the body.

Because epinephrine causes the heart to pump harder, there is an increase in:

• Breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate

When cortisol is present, the body releases fatty acids and glucose into the blood and muscles for energy. Learn more about the relationship between stress and cortisol, as well as strategies for lowering cortisol levels associated with stress, here.

Until the stressful event is over, these hormone levels will often stay elevated. But occasionally, stress levels either may not decrease at all or take a while to do so.

Both short-term and long-term increases in cholesterol levels might result from these circumstances.

Cholesterol and stress

Unhealthy cholesterol levels were positively correlated with job stress, according to a 2013 research that examined data from 91,593 individuals.

• Higher levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, and lower levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), the “good” cholesterol, were also linked to psychological stress, according to a 2017 research.

Researchers have proposed a few ways that stress responses may raise cholesterol.

Hemoconcentration

A person may suffer from hemoconcentration while under stress. The blood loses fluid as a result. The blood’s constituents, such as cholesterol, become increasingly concentrated. This may be one of the ways that stress raises cholesterol levels temporarily.

Fluid travels from the blood arteries to the interstitial spaces around them when blood pressure rises, which might be one explanation for this.

The hormone cortisol

Individuals who endure prolonged stress may have persistently elevated cholesterol levels. The cortisol hormone may be to blame for this.

Elevated cortisol levels may:

Increased hunger due to greater fat deposits around the stomach affects fat in other areas of the body.

When under stress, people tend to eat less healthily and go for sweet “comfort” foods since they seem to make them feel less stressed. Consuming too many meals heavy in carbohydrates can lead to weight gain and obesity. Being overweight frequently results in elevated cholesterol levels.

In another study, researchers hypothesized that stress might produce inflammation because it negatively impacts the immune system. For instance, in individuals with certain forms of liver illness, this may have an impact on cholesterol levels.

The study’s authors suggest that individuals with severe anxiety disorders and depression may have higher lipid levels and obesity as a result of a chronic inflammatory impact. Additionally, smoking can be a problem.

The fatty acid composition

Higher cholesterol levels may also result if the body produces glucose and free fatty acids for energy during a stressful period and the person does not use them for energy.

Other heart-related consequences of stress

The body may experience additional negative consequences from stress, some of which may be harmful.

In individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD), mental stress can result in ischemic heart disease, which is characterized by insufficient blood flow to the heart.

A 2013 study found that the risk of a heart attack might rise when stress causes the heart’s blood flow to be reduced.

In 310 patients with stable congenital heart disease, the researchers measured myocardial ischemia. Almost 44 percent of the subjects had symptoms of cardiac ischemia while they were under mental stress.

According to the findings, the subjects were more likely to have ischemia linked to mental stress than ischemia linked to exercise.

How living circumstances, marriage, and sex may affect cardiac issues was another topic covered by the study’s authors. They urge further study of these elements.

This idea of cardiovascular reactivity

Some people’s cardiovascular systems react more to stress than others, according to research. For instance, stress causes a greater increase in blood pressure in some persons than in others.

According to the cardiovascular reactivity theory, stress may raise a person’s chance of developing heart disease. People who have high cholesterol are frequently already more likely to suffer a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease. Stress may set off such an incident.

Individuals with elevated cholesterol undergo alterations in the artery walls. Occasionally, these alterations cause the arteries to become less elastic, which reduces the blood vessels’ capacity to dilate in reaction to stress.

Impact of stress on cholesterol indirectly

Researchers have a fair idea of how stress affects cholesterol indirectly. They are aware that, for instance, people may be more prone to act in ways that raise or lower cholesterol levels when they are under stress.

The following elements may indirectly raise cholesterol:

• Dietary adjustments: A person under stress might not want to eat in the near term. On the other hand, stress’s long-term hormonal effects may make people more hungry.
• Alcohol and tobacco: A person under stress may drink more alcohol, smoke more, or start smoking again after stopping.
• Exercise: Engaging in physical exercise has a direct impact on cholesterol. A person’s cholesterol levels will probably increase if they cut back on their physical activity when under stress.

What is stress?

The word “stress” is wide and frequently ambiguous. Each person reacts differently to stressors, which are things that make them feel stressed. What stresses one person out could excite another.

Stress may be defined as the inability of an individual to manage or cope with a situation because they lack the mental or physical resources to do so, or feel they lack them.

When someone feels under pressure or that they have no control over their circumstances, stress can result.

When a person’s or someone they care about’s life changes, this might happen. Illness, a traumatic event, relocating, changes in marital status, losing a loved one, and other situations can all cause stress.

The individual could feel.

Depressed, apprehensive, or fearful, in danger, or exposed
Anger and hostility in distress

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material. It serves a variety of purposes and is necessary for all bodily cells. Among these is the construction of cell walls.

Cholesterol comes from two sources:

It is produced by the body and consumed by humans through food.
Cholesterol is not readily transported by the blood. Rather, it moves through the blood as molecules known as lipoproteins. For this reason, while measuring cholesterol, scientists utilize lipid levels.

Two kinds of lipoproteins include cholesterol:

• “Bad” cholesterol, or LDL
• “Good” cholesterol, or HDL

A healthy amount of cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Reliable Source), people should have a blood test to assess their cholesterol levels every five years at their doctor’s office.

People should maintain low levels of total cholesterol, particularly the “bad” LDL cholesterol, according to the CDC.

The ideal cholesterol ranges are:

Less than 200 mg of total cholesterol per milliliter

• 100 mg/dL or less of LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol of 60 mg/dL or more
• Target cholesterol levels, however, differ for every individual.

Breaking the Stress-Related Cholesterol Cycle

By stopping this cycle of events, we can observe that stress is a harmful trigger that raises cholesterol. This connection, which raises the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, must be broken.

Modify Your Typical Stress-Reduction Behavior

We have discussed how stress affects your body internally. We can see how this might raise cholesterol. The same may be said for your exterior reaction. We frequently try to cope with stress by forming bad behaviors. To calm our spirits, we resort to food.

We lit a cigarette. By relaxing in front of the TV, we attempt to forget about our problems. We wind up forming the bad habits of smoking, overeating, and not exercising. All of them raise your cholesterol. It is essential to find effective coping strategies for stress. You can lower your risk of high cholesterol and heart disease by managing stress in healthier ways.

Reduce the Intensity of Your Stress Response

Researchers from the University of College London found that there were significantly higher increases in cholesterol in individuals who had larger initial stress reactions compared to those who had less stress responses. In actuality, elevated cholesterol was three times more common in individuals who scored in the top third of stress responders.

Your health will undoubtedly improve if you can reduce your response to stress. It is critical to figure out how to effectively handle stress since it has a significant impact on your health on many levels. Your chance of high cholesterol, which raises your risk of heart disease, will be decreased by doing this.

Preventing elevated cholesterol due to stress

Because people respond differently to different stresses and because their prior experiences also influence their response, managing stress levels is a personal concern.

Stress management techniques might include:

• maintaining a nutritious diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and veggies
• maintaining a healthy work-life balance, exercising often, and engaging in relaxation and meditation-focused activities like yoga
• requesting assistance with duties from others
• interacting socially with loved ones
• scheduling enjoyable activities, like a stroll around the countryside
• establishing healthy sleeping practices, such as refraining from using electronics in the bedroom or sleeping environment and talking to yourself positively

Drug therapies, such as statins, can be prescribed by a doctor to patients whose cholesterol levels are at risk for developing further problems.

Doctors may be able to suggest treatment for those who are worried that their stress is negatively affecting their lives. This could entail therapy and perhaps even prescription drugs.

Strategies to Manage Stress and Maintain a Healthy Heart

If stress raises cholesterol and causes cardiac problems, how may these risks be decreased? Healthy stress management techniques, healthy stress relievers, and healthy lifestyle choices that prevent stress before it begins are all positive measures. Take a look at these stress-reduction strategies.

8 Strategies to Lower Stress

• Just….Calm down— Your schedule is really busy. You do not have any time to relax. There is one work after another every second. What a burden. Give yourself a rest. Make the time even if you may not think you have it. You now have a few minutes to spare because you are using the internet. Every day, set aside only seven minutes to pause. Sit calmly. Stretch your body. Inhale deeply. Meditate. Make a prayer. Whatever slows down your thoughts will also slow down your body.
• LOL: Having a good laugh helps release stress. View a humorous film. See a comedian. Enjoy some laughing and smiles to relieve stress and support your heart.
• Consume meals that reduce stress. Making the appropriate eating choices might help you feel less stressed. A list of foods that reduce stress is provided by Hello Heart. You will not dislike them, so do not worry. A chocolate one is among them!
• Be gregarious and schedule time for loved ones. This might seem stressful, depending on your friends and family. In general, though, it is a smart concept. You should put the tension aside for a little and simply relax and enjoy yourself.
• Acquire the ability to say no. You are not required to serve on another committee just because you are requested to. You do not have to go to every game your children or grandchildren play. That extra shift can be covered by someone else. Being the one is not necessary. Saying no is OK, particularly if you are feeling overburdened. Avoid stress and overscheduling. Accept heart health.
• EZ Exercise: Working out effectively helps reduce stress. Make things simple so you can make time for exercise. If you know you will not ever go to the gym, do not join. If you do not enjoy running, do not start. Choose the one that works best for you and that you enjoy.
• Pet your dog: The hormone oxytocin, which is known to lower tension, is released when you pet your dog or cat. Given the toll that stress has on the body, this is a serious issue for heart health.
• Track Changes in Stress Level: As you work to keep an eye on and lower your stress levels, it is also beneficial to check to see whether your actions are actually having an impact on your cardiovascular system. Keeping an eye on your blood pressure at home is the most dependable method of doing this.

You can monitor the health of your heart by using a home blood pressure monitor. You may monitor changes in your blood pressure while you make lifestyle adjustments. This will assist you in determining what is most effective and what further adjustments need to be made. Making smart decisions will lower the risk of heart disease and provide good blood pressure readings.

Hello Heart (iOS, Android), a free app compatible with all blood pressure monitors, makes it simple to track changes in your blood pressure. Difficult records or procedures do not cause additional stress. To begin monitoring your stress levels right now, download the Hello Heart app for iOS and Android.

No one knows your favorite stress relievers better than you do. Take the opportunity to engage in any stress-relieving or relaxation-promoting activities you are familiar with. It might be a lengthy stroll, woodworking, or painting. Do whatever it is that suits you! It is critical to prioritize heart health, which includes reducing stress. Your cholesterol levels will improve as a result, and your risk of heart disease will decrease.

FAQs

References:

• MacGill, M. (2019, January 10). How does stress affect cholesterol levels? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313207#controlling_stress
• Can Stress Impact Your Cholesterol? | Hello Heart Blog. (n.d.-b). https://www.helloheart.com/post/stress-and-cholesterol
• Msw, J. C. H. (2022, December 11). Can stress raise cholesterol? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/can-stress-raise-cholesterol-6831764