Psychology2016

Stress and Health 435

have its negative impact on health. One early study (Cohen et al., 1991) found that people
under psychological stress are more likely to catch cold viruses than those who are not
stressed. The researchers found that prolonged stress can cause the chemical that nor-
mally controls the inflammatory response, cortisol, to become less effective. This increases
the inflammatory response, thus increasing the likelihood of getting a cold when exposed.
In a more recent study (Cohen et al., 2012), the researchers found more evidence that pro-
longed stress was associated with a decrease in ability to regulate inflammation, and those
higher levels of inflammation are associated with many diseases such as arthritis, heart
disease, diabetes, and cancer (Hildreth, 2008; Pashkow, 2011; Rakoff-Nahoum, 2006).

HEART DISEASE Of course, anything that can weaken the immune system can have a
negative effect on other bodily systems. Stress has been shown to put people at a higher
risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), the buildup of a waxy substance called plaque in
the arteries of the heart. Stress can affect the release of immune system chemicals such as
cytokines, small proteins involved in the inflammatory process (Frostegård, 2013; Tian et
al., 2014). Stress also affects the functioning of the liver, which is not activated while the
sympathetic nervous system is aroused and does not have a chance to clear the fat and
cholesterol from the bloodstream. This can lead to clogged arteries and eventually the
possibility of heart attacks or strokes. In one study, middle-aged men were questioned
about stress, diet, and lifestyle factors and were examined for biological risk factors for
heart disease: obesity, high blood sugar, high triglycerides (a type of fatty acid found in
the blood), and low levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol. (See Figure 11. 3 .) Stress and
the production of stress hormones were found to be strongly linked to all four biological
risk factors: The more stress the men were exposed to in their work environment and
home lives, the more likely they were to exhibit these risk factors (Brunner et al., 2002).
Other studies have produced similar findings. One study looked at the heart health
of people who suffered acute stress reactions after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and found
a 53 percent increase in heart ailments over the 3 years following the attacks (Holman
et al., 2008), whereas another large-scale study found that work stress is highly associ-
ated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease due to negative effects of stress
on the ANS and glandular activity (Chandola et al., 2008). Recent studies have shown a
clear relationship between stress in the workplace and an increased risk of coronary heart
disease as well as depression, sleep disturbances, and unhealthy habits such as a lack of
physical activity—none of which are good for coronary health (Emeny et al., 2012, 2013).
Prolonged stress is simply not good for the heart.

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the buildup of a waxy substance called

plaque in the arteries of the heart.

Figure 11.3 Stress and Coronary Heart Disease
The blue box on the left represents various sources of stress (Type A personality refers to someone who is
ambitious, always working, and usually hostile). In addition to the physical reactions that accompany the stress
reaction, an individual under stress may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior such as overeating,
drinking alcohol or taking other kinds of drugs, avoiding exercise, and acting out in anger or frustration. This kind
of behavior also contributes to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Stress

Coronary

heart

disease

Physiological

reactions

Catastrophes

Major life events

Hassles

Type A personality

Unhealthy

behaviors