Chronic Stress

However, as per Aditi Jagtap Pune, in cases of chronic stress, where stress levels remain consistently elevated, the heightened activity state of the heart also remains constant. The uninterrupted release of stress hormones and the consistent increase in heart rate and contractility can ultimately result in long-term damage to your heart. The heart muscles may become weakened, resulting in a condition known as cardiomyopathy. Some common characteristics of cardiomyopathy include enlargement, thickening, or stiffening of the heart muscles, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. As a result of this weakened state of the heart, fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention may occur as symptoms.