Media release
Why Stress Is Quietly Breaking Our Hearts - and How to Reset This REDFEB
With cost-of-living pressure rising in recent years, stress has become the silent epidemic of modern life - and it’s quietly breaking our hearts. Health experts warn that chronic stress is compromising how our hearts function, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and even sudden cardiac events.
Recent national data shows[i] that nearly half of Australians say financial worries are the biggest factor affecting their wellbeing, while more than a third of workers report feeling burnt out every week.
“Most people think of stress as emotional or mental, but the heart feels it too,” said Nicci Dent, CEO of Heart Research Australia. “We’ve normalised being wired and tired - but living in stress mode is like leaving your car engine running all night. The cost-of-living squeeze means many Australians feel like every day is a crisis - and our hearts are paying the price.”
Acute vs chronic stress on the heart
Cardiologist Dr Avedis Ekmejian said stress can harm the heart suddenly or slowly over time.
“A sudden surge of stress hormones - like an angry outburst or a major shock - can trigger a serious cardiac event, such as a heart attack due to a blocked artery, or sometimes even stress cardiomyopathy or ‘broken heart syndrome,’ where the heart muscle temporarily weakens.
The slow grind of chronic stress also has adverse effects on the heart. As you would expect, if we are constantly exposed to stress without any recovery periods, this will result in blood pressure issues, and modifies our metabolism, increasing cholesterol and sugar levels. This can increase the incidence of coronary disease, among other cardiac conditions. system. Our stress system is meant to spike and then return to baseline - when it never resets, that’s when the risks build up silently.”
Stress and the brain–heart connection
Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Miranda Say explains that stress doesn’t just wear people down, it changes how the brain works.
“Stress itself is not a bad thing - it’s critical for our safety and wellbeing,” Dr Say said. “The real danger is when stress never switches off. When stress hormones surge, the brain switches into survival mode. When this is chronic, people end up groggy in the morning, restless at night, and stuck in a constant state of tension. We might notice that we snap, lose focus or are making poor decisions. This is a sign that the body isn’t returning to baseline”. Dr Say explained that lots of people have become used to being constantly stressed to the point that it feels normal.
Recognising these signals - poor sleep, constant tension, headaches or snapping at small things - is the first step to resetting. The good news is that everyday actions can bring stress systems back into balance through connection - to self, others, and nature. These simple acts are just some examples shown to reduce stress hormones:
- To self: mindful breathing, journalling, yoga, or simply pausing to notice how you feel.
- To others: a hug, a laugh, an act of kindness or sharing a meal
- To nature: even one hour outdoors can reduce cortisol and blood pressure more effectively than another hour in front of a screen.
“A hug, a laugh, or a walk in the park aren’t luxuries - they’re medicine for the heart.” Dr Say said.
For retiree Daniel Hugo, growing concerns about his heart health led him to make some important changes. After an increasing frequency of heart-related issues and a stressful job, he retired and moved up the coast - a long-held dream to live close to the ocean that’s also helped him slow down and look after his wellbeing.
“I didn’t make huge changes, but I made important ones - more exercising, volunteering, and time with my grandkids,” Daniel said. “It’s made a real difference in reducing my stress and I feel much better day to day.”
The REDFEB Bingo Challenge
This REDFEB, Heart Research Australia is encouraging Australians to have some fun with their heart health by taking part in the free REDFEB Bingo Challenge. Instead of another stressful “challenge,” it’s about trying small, surprising things across the “4Ms” of heart health - and ticking them off as you go. At the end of February, you’ll see how good your heart (and head) feels.
The 4Ms are simple daily resets that support both physical and mental wellbeing:
- Meals – Invite a friend over for a home-cooked meal or try a new heart-healthy recipe.
- Movement – dance in the kitchen, take the stairs, or go for a walk with a friend.
- Measurement – check your blood pressure, cholesterol, or other key health indicators.
- Mental attitude – consciously slow down your breath, laugh with a friend, or spend an hour in nature.
“Your heart listens to your lifestyle,” said Nicci Dent, CEO of Heart Research Australia. “This REDFEB is about small, joyful habits to help your body return to baseline - from cooking a healthy meal to walking with a friend.”
“You can’t always control the cost of living or your workload, but you can control how your body navigates back to baseline. Most importantly, REDFEB is about wearing red, raising awareness, and funding vital, life-saving research - so more families can be spared the devastation of heart disease.”
Australians are encouraged to wear red, take part in the REDFEB Bingo Challenge, and donate to Heart Research Australia at www.heartresearch.com.au.
- ENDS –
Distributed by Lanham Media on behalf of Heart Research Australia
Media contacts:
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
About Heart Research Australia
Heart Research Australia supports world-class and emerging researchers to conduct ground-breaking research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. We support ‘seed’ funding, allowing researchers to turn their innovative, ‘out of the notebook’ ideas into reality. As this type of first-stage research does not qualify for government funding, we are solely reliant on the generosity of our wonderful supporters to help make the investigation of such ideas possible. Our goal is to keep families together for longer and to reduce the devastating impact heart disease has on families and the community.
https://www.heartresearch.com.au/
Available for interview:
- Nicci Dent, CEO of Heart Research Australia
- Dr Avedis Ekmejian, Cardiologist
- Professor Geoffrey Tofler, Cardiologist
- Dr Miranda Say, Clinical Neuropsychologist
- Chloe Steele, Heart Research Australia Nutritionist
- State-based specialists and Kieser exercise physiologists (on request)
- Daniel Hugo, retiree from Central Coast NSW
- Other case studies available from across Australia
REDFEB photos available here
Further Information and Resources
Statistics
- Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for Australians, claiming around 45 lives every day - one every 30 minutes. (1)
- Around 1.3 million adults (6.7%) are living with heart, stroke or vascular conditions. (2)
- High blood pressure contributes to 36% of the total cardiovascular disease burden. (2)
- 40% of Australians feel stressed weekly, and 48% say financial worries most affect their wellbeing. (5)
- Chronic stress and depression account for about one-third (32%) of the overall risk of developing heart disease - comparable to smoking and greater than diabetes or hypertension. (7)
- Depression affects up to 40% of people following a heart attack and doubles their risk of future cardiac events and death. (7)
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023). Causes of Death, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). Heart, Stroke and Vascular Disease: Australian Facts.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022). National Health Survey, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). Australia’s Health 2024: In Brief.
- Medibank & The Growth Distillery (2024). State of Mind: Australia’s Mental Health Conversation.
- Vaccarino V. & Bremner J.D. (2024). Stress and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update. Nature Reviews Cardiology.
- Colquhoun D.M. et al. (2013). Screening, Referral and Treatment for Depression in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 198(9), 483–484.
Educational Videos: A range of short videos explaining key topics - including What is a Heart Attack, Coronary Angiogram, and Cardiac Rehabilitation - is available at: heartresearch.com.au/videos
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Heart Health Awareness
- Shining a Light on Women’s Heart Health
- Men’s and Women’s Heart Health Videos
- Heart Attack Early Warning Signs