Constant stress and lack of sleep are bad for everyone, but it's clearly even worse for some people.
Ladies after menopause seem to have higher risks of heart issues, a new research shows.
Let's find out more.
Stress is more dangerous than you might think
A new study found that after menopause, about 1 in 4 ladies may develop irregular heart rhythms called atrial fibrillation.
Stressful life events and insomnia, especially in postmenopausal women, seem to be major factors contributing to this heart condition.
How it was conducted
The women were asked a few questions about stressful life events, sleep patterns and quality, optimism, social support, and more.
The findings over about a decade of follow-up showed that approximately 25% of these women developed atrial fibrillation.
Researchers noticed two main clusters of factors contributing to this condition: stress and strain.
How you can fix it
The study suggests that stress and poor sleep can affect the heart's electrical system, leading to atrial fibrillation.
Stressful life events, poor sleep, and hard feelings like depression or anxiety often go hand-in-hand.
It's still not entirely clear if these factors gradually build up over the years, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation as women age.
Why it's important
While chronic stress hasn't consistently been linked to atrial fibrillation, the researchers acknowledge that more research is needed to confirm these associations.
They also hope to explore whether stress-reducing strategies can lower the risk of developing this heart condition.
