Stress and Fatigue Can Worsen Heart Disease Complaints

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A cardiovascular specialist from the Indonesian Cardiovascular Specialists Association (PERKI), Dr. Susetyo Atmojo, Sp.JP, has stated that stress and fatigue can exacerbate complaints in heart disease patients, although they are not the primary cause of the illness.

“It is indeed heavily triggered by high-stress occupations and fatigue. It triggers, meaning it worsens, but is not the source cause,” Susetyo said during a media education session held by Daewoong in Jakarta on Thursday.

He explained that heart disease is generally caused by various risk factors, while stress and fatigue act more as triggers for symptoms in patients who already have the condition. In patients with coronary heart disease, stress and fatigue can trigger more frequent chest pain.

This occurs because when a person experiences stress, the blood vessels undergo vasoconstriction or narrowing as a natural body response. However, in patients who already have narrowed blood vessels, this condition can worsen blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to chest pain.

He emphasised that managing stress is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle for heart disease patients. “Stress cannot be eliminated. As long as we live, there will always be stressors. But how we manage stress is the key,” he said. A healthy lifestyle also includes a balanced nutritious diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy environment.