Feel like your anxiety skyrockets faster than normal? It may not all be in your head--in fact, it may be written in your genes. Some people have a genetic trait that not only makes them especially sensitive to stress, but also increases their risk of a heart attack or death by 38 percent, reports a study from Duke University. That's similar to the effect smoking has on developing heart disease, adds study author Redford B. Williams, M.D.
When distressed, your brain releases serotonin and your body emits a hormone called cortisol. But for people with this unique gene, a specific receptor is stimulated by serotonin, causing your adrenal glands to secrete more cortisol--sometimes even double the amount--than normal, explains Dr. Williams. And since extensive research has shown that cortisol affects a number of factors that up your risk for developing heart disease, this gene therefore increases your chances even more.
The bad news: About 13 percent of men in the general population have the gene, compared to only 2 percent of women. There's not yet a public test to determine if you have it or not, but if you're overly strained or have symptoms like disrupted sleep and increased cravings for comfort foods, talk to your doctor about a stress test. The exam can determine if you're at risk for heart disease or need to be watching your tension levels.
If you have ticker trouble or a family history of it, learning better ways to manage stress can help reduce your risk of developments, says Dr. Williams. Try meditating: A 2012 study found that people with heart disease who meditated for 20 minutes a day cut their risk of heart attacks, stroke, and death by nearly half over five years compared to patients who practiced healthy habits like exercise and meal prep for the same amount of time.
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