How Worry Impacts Your Risk of Heart Disease

Plus: Tricks to lower your heart risk

I’m sure you’ve heard the song lyrics that go “Don’t worry, be happy.” 

But “don’t worry, be healthy” might be more accurate. 

A recently published study looked at the connection between worry and the risk of metabolic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. 

And the surprising link could have you running to your local Massage Envy or signing up for yoga class to get your stress under control. 

For this study, researchers analyzed data from about 1,500 men who underwent physical exams and blood tests every three to five years until they died or dropped out of the study. 

From about 33 to 65 years old, the number of cardiometabolic risk factors (like high blood pressure, obesity, BMI, and fasting blood sugar, etc.) increased at a rate of about one per decade. 

The study found that the men who had six or more risk factors had likely already developed heart disease or diabetes. 

No surprise there. 

But here’s the interesting part: The worriers were more likely to have a higher number of risk factors. They also had a higher likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, or diabetes, compared to the non-worriers. 

In other words, worry can increase the biological risk factors that increase your risk of poor health. 

There are a lot of things in life that you don’t have control over.  

But you can control your level of stress and worry. 

One simple way to do that is something I do every night: I keep a mindfulness journal where I write down things from the day that I’m thankful for. 

It’s a simple thing.  

But when you choose to focus on the good instead of the bad, worry tends to fizzle out like a fire that hasn’t been stoked. 

So, don’t fan the flames of worry. 

Meditate, practice deep breathing, talk with others, and be sure to get moving, since exercise has such a huge impact on your mental state.