CHAMBERSBURG, PA - Summit Health held a seminar informing people about stress and heart disease. Doctors say stress can increase your risk of it.
"There is increased risk of heart disease in patients who have chronic stress," says Dr. Arshad Safi, Summit Health.
"Everybody experiences stress," says Leslie Provard, an attendee.
Leslie Provard says her mother is currently experiencing heart problems and stress. She says even her young daughter goes through it.
"Minor stuff like grades and getting to places on time that kind of stuff. Her stress wouldn't be as great. The older you get the more stress you get," says Provard.
"The signs could be physical which you know you feel tired, you feel fatigued," says Dr. Safi. "The signs could be behavioral, which means you kind of lost interest in any of your daily activities, become antisocial."
We can't change our age, gender or our families health history, but health experts say by learning how to properly handle stress, it can greatly benefit our hearts.
"My family does a lot of soccer together and her and I kind of do some of the soccer drills together so that helps with reducing stress," says Provard.
Dr. Safi suggests spending time with family and friends, or simply laughing or giving someone a hug may do the trick.
