To say we all have experienced a stressful workday at one time or another is most assuredly stating the obvious. 

For many, stress at work is considered a normalcy, rather than an anomaly.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that one in four employees report that their job is their number-one stressor.

And three in four believe that work for them is far more stressful than it was for working Americans a generation ago.

Still, can stress cause more ominous health problems, namely cardiovascular disease?

There has been much speculation about whether or not stress can directly cause heart disease. Yet one thing is for certain, the way many people deal with their stress can lead to heart disease.

Think about when you’ve had a tough day on the job. You drive home from work and decide to stop on the way for fast food so you don’t have to make a mess in the kitchen.

You arrive home and decide to watch TV while you eat your calorie-laden meal.

Twenty minutes later, you’ve finished eating and think to yourself, “I should really go to the gym and try to get some exercise.” But you’re exhausted from work … and the idea of facing another taxing, stressful day makes you even more tired.

So you curl up on the couch – have a few beers – and relax for the next three hours.

Does this sound even vaguely familiar? If so, then your particular response to stress is leading you toward heart disease.

Undoubtedly, many of us have had symptoms, such as headache, neck pain, abdominal discomfort, chest pain or palpitations, for which we’ve sought medical care.

And our health-care providers, after having done lab work and perhaps other diagnostic tests that have been normal, have suggested that our symptoms likely are caused by stress.

Most people deal with stress by eating more, drinking more (alcohol), smoking cigarettes, and maybe trying to take it easy (in other words, exercising less).

If you are engaging in even just one of those behaviors, you are potentially harming your heart.

We must deal with stress in a more heart-healthy way. For example, exercise is great for our hearts and is a stress reliever.

The American Heart Association also recommends daily relaxation as a way to deal with stress. This does not mean sitting in front of the television, but instead some yoga, tai chi, deep-breathing exercises or meditation, all good ways to relax.

We know for certain that the way we deal with those overwhelming, stressful workdays can have a huge impact on our heart’s health. So counteract the impact of stress on your heart.

Exercise, quit smoking, be moderate in your alcohol intake and make good food choices! Don’t let workplace stress ruin your heart.