STRESS: THE HEART WRENCHER
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Medical Fraternity were recently shocked by the untimely death of their colleague, a young Gynecologist, Dr. Rajesh T. Bhat, Managing Partner of Bhat’s Nursing Home. Rajesh, a good human being with a great sense of humor and zest for life will be missed by me and everybody associated with him professionally to a very great extent. The cause of death was attributed to Heart Attack, which is said to be precipitated by a high degree of Stress. It is time for the Medical Fraternity and laymen alike to introspect and deal with the fact of stress leading to heart problems.
Maybe it’s your demanding boss, morning gridlock, or relationship problems with a friend or family member. Whatever the cause, it’s likely you experience some level of stress on a daily basis. But while some day-to-day stress is normal (and can even be a good thing if it motivates you), chronic, overwhelming stress can have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and emotional well being. Knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms that you’re under too much stress can help you stay aware and address the issues before they harm your health.
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Rajesh T. Bhat, who died of Heart Attack while playing Badminton
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health. Stress, is an inevitable part of everybody’s life, especially that of Doctor’s. A patient or two in ICU is enough to give a doctor a sleepless night. Dealing with a multitude of problems in OPD’s wards and OTs, striving to give the best possible care to patients adds up to the stress level of a Medical practitioner. Deteriorating patient-doctor relationship, litigation-prone society and the rate race in profession multiplies the stress level.
How does stress cause Heart Attack? Once a person is under severe stress, there is a surge of hormones in the body which have a deleterious effect on the heart. These hormones also increase the level of BP and Blood sugar levels, which are traditional risk factors for Heart Attack. Unfortunately, the stress level cannot be “measured” unlike BP or blood sugar. Hence, it is difficult to quantify what level of stress is detrimental to heart disease.
Effect of stress on the heart is highly individual, as stress taking & dealing capacity of every individual is different. Some are really “Cool Cats” while others are “Speeding Stallions”. Some of the ways to beat stress are “5 S’s”
1) Speak:
Share your stresses with your Spouse, friends, and relatives. They may suggest a way out.
2) Solution:
Try to find the most amicable solution to the problem, need not always be perfect. Have Courage to change things which you can, and humbleness to accept which you can’t.
3) Socialize:
Have an array of friends and attend social, cultural and family events. This takes your mind away from workplace problems.
4) Sports:
Take up a sport which your age and body permit. This helps to relax and increases “Endorphin Levels” which are happy hormones.
5) Spirituality:
Spirituality in the true sense, like Meditation and soul searching, will give strength and possible easy solution to the problems which are stressing you out.
The other “2 S’s” i.e., Smoking and Spirits (Alcohol) are strictly No No, as these have a deleterious effect on the heart and other body organs. Traditional risk factors such as BP, Sugars & Cholesterol are also increased by these vices. Hence, these “Solutions” multiply the risk for heart attack rather than relieve the stress.
My advice to the general public and professional colleagues is to have regular health check-up to detect & estimate the level of traditional risk factors. Control these risk factors. Learn to “Let Go” and “Stop to Smell Roses” in this race of life. Have a healthy life.
About the Author:
Dr. Rajesh Bhat U is an Associate Prof. & Interventional Cardiologist, KMC Hospital, Ambedkar Circle, Mangaluru; and also has his own clinic Ranjan Clinic on Falnir Rd, Mangaluru
