With the arrival of December, many people come to a recurring realization: The year suddenly seems to be accelerating. Obligations pile up, tasks give no rest, degrees and evaluations become inevitable and simultaneous increases emotional stress.
The call stress End of the year It combines physical exhaustion, fear and constant pressure, a mixture that is not harmless. Although it is often put into perspective or accepted as something normal, it can have specific effects on health, particularly on the cardiovascular system.
However, in Argentina there are no official statistics that systematically measure this The trend is consistently reflected in clinical studies, in everyday medical practice and in international work surveys.
“In clinical practice, consultations for stress-related symptoms increase in the last half of the year. Insomnia or unrefreshing sleep, palpitations, tension headaches, elevated blood pressure and a feeling of extreme fatigue are observed more frequently.” Many patients go to the doctor not because of an isolated case, but because of the accumulation of months of overwork. family demands and unfulfilled goals,” says the cardiologist Juan Pablo Costabel (MN 119403), Head of the Coronary and Hospital Department ICBA Cardiovascular Institute.
Despite its bad reputation, stress is not necessarily negative. The specialist explains that in moderate amounts it is part of an adaptation mechanism of the body in the face of a challenge: The heart rate accelerates, pressure increases, and hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released to respond to demand. The real risk arises when this condition lasts longer and is no longer temporary.
“In these final weeks of the year, the body often fails to let down its guard.‘. Work demands, financial concerns, family and social responsibilities, and even changes in diet or rest all contribute to maintaining persistent levels of stress. “In this context, the cardiovascular system works more than necessary,” describes Costabel.
Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol and adrenaline levels can cause this increases in the Blood pressurePulse acceleration, cardiac arrhythmias and inflammatory processes that promote accumulation cholesterol in the arteries. If this scenario continues over time, the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, angina and other cardiovascular diseases increases.
Although these recommendations apply to the entire population, there are people who need to exercise extreme caution. “The highest risk groups include people with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, a history of coronary heart disease or stroke, obesity or a severe lack of exercise.
For them, peak loads can trigger cardiovascular events or decompensations,” warns the cardiologist.
When fatigue no longer just occurs occasionally, but becomes one persistent exhaustion, burnout syndrome or “Burnout worker syndromeAlthough it is linked to the workplace, its effects go much further: it alters rest, diet, personal relationships and affects cardiovascular health.
This picture usually manifests itself through three main axes: a deep physical and emotional exhaustion, with lack of energy and difficulty concentrating; Depersonalization, which manifests as irritability or emotional disconnection; and loss of motivation and effectiveness, with feelings of frustration, apathy and failure to meet expectations.
“From a cardiovascular perspective Burnout can create a perfect storm: The body remains in a chronic state of alert with increased sympathetic tone, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and metabolic changes that promote weight and cholesterol gain. “All of these factors significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease,” emphasizes the head of the coronary and hospital department of the ICBA Cardiovascular Institute.
The end of the year brings together several factors that explain why these conditions worsen during this period. Added to the pressure to achieve goals and complete projects is a lack of rest, longer days and fewer hours of sleep. Changes in habits typical of these dates also have an influence, such as increased consumption of alcohol and high-calorie foods, reduced physical activity and emotional demands related to family gatherings, social obligations and personal balance.
“The heart, which is sensitive not only to the biological but also to the emotional, perceives these tensions. Therefore, at this time of year it is important to increase self-care measures and pay attention to the signals that the body sends,” adds Costabel.
The accelerated pace of daily life causes many people to ignore or minimize the body’s warning signals. “A lot of people are normalizing themselves little sleep, poor nutrition, physical symptoms such as pain or palpitations. This habit leads them to minimize alarm signals and only consult when the symptoms are very intense or persistent,” concludes the specialist.
Taking care of cardiovascular health also means paying close attention to emotional health. It’s not just about measuring blood pressure or doing physical activity; recognize when stress is boiling over and act before it is expressed in the body. There are a number of simple recommendations that can make a big difference:
- Listen to the body. If symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, or unusual tiredness occur, do not minimize them. Consult a professional.
- Order priorities. Not everything has to be clarified by December 31st. Sometimes procrastination is also a way to take care of your health.
- Find your peace again. Sleeping between 7 and 8 hours per night is important for regulating stress hormones and lowering blood pressure.
- Pay attention to your diet. Avoid excess salt, fat and alcohol, especially at meetings and celebrations.
- Move. Walking, cycling or swimming are excellent ways to relieve tension and improve blood circulation.
- Connect and disconnect. Maintaining healthy bonds and saving time away from screens or work is just as important as any medication.
- Ask for help. You can’t manage stress and burnout alone. Talking to a doctor, psychologist or friend can be the first step towards regaining balance.
“The heart not only pumps blood, it also translates emotions. It beats faster when anxious, calms down when calm, and suffers when stress lasts longer. Therefore, talking about burnout or end-of-year stress is not just a psychological problem: It’s about cardiovascular health.“concludes Dr. Juan Pablo Costabel, head of the Coronary and Hospital Department of ICBA Cardiovascular Institute.
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