Q. Can stress worsen heart valve disease?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Stress can certainly worsen heart valve disease in certain cases. In fact, research has shown that chronic stress can lead to a range of cardiac issues, including valvular disorders such as regurgitation and stenosis. It’s important to note that the effect of stress on heart valve disease varies widely from individual to individual.
When our bodies experience prolonged or intense episodes of stress, the autonomic nervous system goes into “flight or fight” mode and releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which may have damaging effects on various organ systems in the body— including our hearts. High levels of these hormones over time can cause changes in blood flow dynamics, leading to an alteration in pressure gradients across cardiac valves. This increase in pressure differences between left-sided and right-sided chambers can result in aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation or aortic stenosis. Moreover, some studies suggest that chronically elevated cortisol levels are associated with fibrosis and calcification around valves resulting from impaired collagen synthesis within myxomatous tissues affected by connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome.
Considering this information it is clear that individuals who suffer from chronic stress should be aware of potential adverse effects on their cardiovascular health and visit their doctor for regular checkups so any problems can be addressed effectively before they become serious issues!