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With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

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June 17, 2008

Don't let stress be a killer

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By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

Dr. Bob S. Eliot, a respected and revered cardiologist, suffered a massive heart attack in his late forties. Fortunately, he recovered and wrote a book titled "Is It Worth Dying For?" which convincingly demonstrated the profound relationship between stress and heart disease. But now for the rest of the story.

Several weeks ago, my wife and I had a wonderful dinner with a colleague who was transferring to another city because of professional opportunities. It was an exciting time yet a time of great challenge as he sought medical connections in his new hometown.

He explained to me that he too in his late forties had a massive heart attack from which he recovered. However, 15 percent of his heart muscle died as a result of the blood vessel blockage and this could never be reversed. Despite aggressive surgical and medical management, our colleague often became short of breath with minimal exertion and did not quite have the energy and vitality that he had before the heart attack. Now what does this mean for you and me?

He explained to me that just before the heart attack he was ensnared in some thorny professional and personal issues. He frankly admitted that his stress management skills were primitive, and he was saddened that he could not handle these issues more creatively. Without doubt, according to his doctors, the stress of these issues dramatically impacted his well-being for the rest of his life.

So an important lesson for all of us when faced with stressful and painful circumstances is a simple question: "Is it worth dying for it?" Obviously, it is not, and we need to recognize that unless we deal with stress in a creative and constructive manner, short- and long-term health consequences can be profound.

So, when we receive that stinging rebuke, that painful e-mail, or that unkind letter, how can we deal with those initial feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness?

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21 comments posted

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September 4, 2008 12:09 p.m.

I suffered a heart attack at the age of 56 which I believe was stress related as I have suffered from depression, anxiety and panic attacks since the age of 14. I now practice breathing exercises to lower my stess level and it helps a lot.

- donald grauman

August 16, 2008 8:57 p.m.

Stress is a killer in daily life. Being in the investment industry, there was always the high demand for long hours (12-13 hr days). People even said that I was aging quicker than usual after my job. However, starting 6 months ago I decided that I really had to do something about the stress. I started exercising more and meditating for about 15 minutes a day. I also started taking vitamin supplements. All of them factors greatly reduced the stress in my life. I have to say if you keep up these key stress relief tactics your life will greatly improve. Just wanted to give my 2 cents.

- Jon

July 14, 2008 4:27 a.m.

stress is the condition which makes a man physically and mentally sick.so it should be avoided.Stress is a normal physiological response of the body to hostile environment. yoga helps a lot in reducing any type of stress.it's very useful for the people to reduce their stress in unfavorable conditions.The food which we will take also have its effect to maximize stress.so it is checked. meditation is also one of the best way to get rid of it.Normally business people undergo more stress when compared with a normal man.so it's better to drive it away.Stress can affect children, adolescents and adults. Though the stress factor may be different in different age groups, the outcome is more or less the same and i think this is beneficial for the people to have relief from stress.Thank you.........

- daniel

July 11, 2008 11:42 a.m.

I like what one comment earlier had said, "take a breath" and then respond. Most of us are conditioned over time to have knee jerk reactions to things in life that are unpleasant. It comes from our very primitive fight or flight response. Victor Frankl said "between a stimulus and response there is a space, and in that space lies our freedom to choose our response". I think the question here is, how do we expand our awareness of that space so we can notice the "sting" or initial feelings of anger, frustration, or sadness without reacting to them from a stressed out space, thereby increasing our stress. Different things will work for different people, but cultivating the ability to take a breath, check in with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and then choose that response is a really good practice. The only way to get used to this is by actually doing this throughout the day when things aren't alarming. That way it is more at the tip of our minds when alarm or unpleasantness comes. When we start integrating into this, it becomes more natural.

- Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.

July 2, 2008 3:00 p.m.

Stressbusters....Take a cruise, relax, relax, let go, let go....

- jo

June 30, 2008 6:52 p.m.

...I MAY HAVE WON THE RACE BUT I LOST MY HEALTH! FEMALES ~ PLEASE TAKE OF YOU FIRST. THE MOTTO I LIVE UNDER "IF YOU CANNOT WIN THE RACE FORCE THE GIRL AHEAD OF YOU TO BREAK THE RECORD!" NOT GOOD IF YOU WANT TO LIVE TO SEE YOUR FAMILY GROW! TAKE CARE FOR I CARE!!!!!

- Jean M

June 30, 2008 6:43 p.m.

STRESS~"Type A" brought my daughter and I to the "Hope & Pray" division of the Mayo Clinic! Hoping to fill a cancelation and to be seen by any OUTSTANDING Mayo Clinic Physician. After four days of waiting, the Receptionist finally said "To be honest, you would be the last one to be placed in a cancelation slot! Your condition is too complex for one Specialist." I had a suitcase on rollers with ALL of my records from physical tests. My heart sunk! That was 1.5yrs. ago. I have at least 7 Medical Specialists~ "WHY?"~STRESS! I have been a "Type A" since as far back as I can remember~yrs. Have been on disability at age 50; Dx-Fibromyalgia!hahaha Along with an aneurysm inside of my heart; SVT w/PVC's that go into couplets, triplets & Junction Rhythm; Atrial Fib&Flutter; Mitral Valve Prolapse; nodules in my lungs(NEVER smoked); Severe Sleep Apnea; growths on the Pancreas, NOT maligant; Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia; periodic infusions of Ferritin; water blisters on my legs due to edema; elevated RA Quant; Chronic "head to toe" pain; Arthritis; Osteopenia; Enuresis q.h.s.; Ocular Migraines sometimes extreme to the point of temporary loss of sight; Depleted Vitamins D, B1, B12,etc. Two kidney infedtions with dozens of blood clots the size of my pinky when I void. FINALLY, a physician pulled it all together~"Your body has been so stressed that, your body is shutting down and soon your kidneys will shut down as

- Jean M

June 27, 2008 9:40 p.m.

I will normally confront issues to resolve. If I am successful...end of issue. But if it doesn't get resolved I remain agitated and have to do much gym time to even feel on keel.....

- Josie

June 27, 2008 10:47 a.m.

In a stressful situation, Dr. Joy Browne recommends "Square Breathing:" inhale deeply to the count of four, hold to count of four, exhale slowly to count of four, wait for count of four and repeat. Tell yourself, "This, too, shall pass." Learn to say, "No."

- Roberta S.

June 27, 2008 7:08 a.m.

I'd like to relate my husband's story. His Dad, a typical "Type A", struggled with early heart issues all his life. It helped form my husband's goals in life as he grew up. Today he is a happy HS teacher, and was never tempted to "advance" into administration. This stress avoidance, with a drive to be fit, has kept him very healthy. Despite the strong family history of heart disease, I'm sure he'll die of somethin else!

- Sue