Introduction

Stress is a common characteristic of life; however, if not managed effectively, stress can impose significant psychosocial, emotional and physiological such as chest disease, high blood pressure and uneven heartbeats, which are mostly cardiovascular health complications (Burg 96). There is conventional knowledge that stress plays a significant role in causing coronary heart disease. Stress itself is a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease. In aIDition, high degrees of stress worsen other potential risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. For instance, a person under stress may exhibit high blood pressure, reduced exercising, and overeat; these conditions increase the risk of suffering from coronary heart disease. Stress is a risk factor for CHD in itself since chronic stress levels expose the human body to unhealthy and elevated levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Medical studies have established the link between stress and changes in blood clotting, which increases the risk of CHD (Girdano and Everly 102). There is considerable evidence that links stress to coronary heart disease. The problem identified in this paper is stress induced coronary heart disease. This paper explains a proposed solution and presents evidence that the proposed solution will effectively aIDress the problem. Further, the paper discusses a myriad of alternative solutions and outlines why they are inferior to the proposed solution. Finally, the paper calls the audience to a specific action to aIDress the problem.

Potential Solutions to Stress Induced CHD

There are numerous solutions that can be used to prevent stress-induced coronary heart disease; they include self-directed techniques, behavioral approaches, relaxation training, biofeedback and pharmacological approach. Nevertheless, stress is an extremely personalized aspect, implying that there are different causes requiring different approaches; hence, no single solution is applicable for all. Self-directed techniques entail the prioritization of objectives and activities and participation in physical activities such as running, jogging and aerobics. Other elements of self-directed techniques to reduce stress-induced CHD include engaging in recreational activities such as sports, travel and hobbies; engaging in individual activities and occupational therapies such as painting, needlepoint, and knitting; and finally using social support systems such as group activities, religious activities and involvement in social organizations. Self-directed techniques can be implemented by engaging in aerobic, stretching and breathing exercises, yoga, visualization technique and massage (Hoeger and Hoeger 147). It is imperative to recognize particular life situations that cause a person to experience chronic stress, and then limit, adjust or avoid such situations when possible. Self-directed techniques have the primary goal of blunting the adrenaline response to stressful situations.

The second solution entails behavioral approaches technique, which involves the examination of life goals, identifying potential stressors, acknowledgment of any harmful traits and behavioral modification using stress inoculation techniques. Behavioral approaches have the main objective of ensuring that the individual learns new ways of responding to stressful situations, especially using stress management techniques based on behavioral therapy. Behavioral modification has been documented as the best stress reduction technique, wherein exceptional focus is on ensuring that people identify their arousal cues (Klipper 152). Patients evaluate their emotional and mental responses and modify these responses in a manner that is not stressful. Behavior modification aims at changing the manner in which individual strive to achieve their life goals.

The third potential solution to stress induced coronary heart disease is relaxation training implemented through meditation, guided imagery, hypnosis, persistent muscular relaxation exercises and isolation tank. Relaxation training has the primary objective of increasing the state of calmness by reducing stress, anxiety and anger. Research has affirmed that relaxation helps in eliminating stress and increases an individual’s health. Meditation is one of the most effective relaxation techniques, which requires people to mediate for about ten minutes daily to reduce anxiety and stress (Girdano and Everly 100).

The fourth solution to stress induced coronary disease is the use of biofeedback implemented through muscle tension control, temperature control and galvanic skin response. Biofeedback has the primary goal of improving health and physiological changes that take place together with changes in emotions, behavior and thoughts. Biofeedback is helpful in controlling body process that usually occurs involuntarily like blood pressure, temperature of the skin, muscle tension and heartbeat rate. Biofeedback is one of the most effective therapeutic approaches for treating high blood pressure (Hoeger and Hoeger 123).

The fifth solution involves the use of pharmacological approach, which reduces stress levels using sedatives, antidepressants, beta blockers and tranquilizers. Pharmacological treatment of stress primarily involves administering drugs to treat symptoms associated with stress such as anxiety and anger. The disadvantage of relying on pharmacological drugs is that prolonged use can lead to dependency and side effects such as impaired memory, increased depression and drowsiness. Anti-depressants serve to help a stressed individual cope up with stress; however, they can impose significant side effects such as nausea and dizziness (Burg 142).

Proposed Solution

The proposed solution to aIDress stress induced coronary heart disease is behavioral approaches. In fact, among the various stress reduction approaches, the best documented approach is the behavior management technique. The effectiveness of behavioral approaches is grounded by the fact that the solution is somewhat proactive. Several investigations have reported that patients with CHD responded well from behavioral treatment aimed at reducing stress. A long term study by Burg (95) revealed that patients with CHD under behavioral modification experienced less cardiac complications than patients who did not use behavioral modification techniques. The same study concluded that behavioral modification helped them to formulate new, “non-Type A” stress coping skills. The fundamental argument is that stress is mostly behavioral and psychological, implying that the most effective approach should be proactive and behavioral, especially behavioral modification. This is imperative in ensuring that individuals adjust the manner in which they respond to stressful situations. This will be ultimately helpful in reducing the risk of CHD (Burg 100).

The proposed solution is superior to other alternative solutions because approaches are proactive, whereas other solutions are reactive. Behavioral approaches entail prior recognition of stressors and harmful personality traits, and an examination of life goals, after which the individual adjusts his or her behavioral response in stressful situations. This is contrary with other solutions, which are reactive, implying that they attempt to reduce stress after its onset. For instance, they lack prior recognition of stressors. They are mostly medical approaches that rely on medication, often administered after the onset of stress. In aIDition, behavioral approach is superior because it is devoid of undesirable outcomes such as chemical dependency and side effects associated with pharmacological treatment of stress and biofeedback.

The primary objection to the proposed solution is that it does not approach stress management from a physiological perspective. This implies that behavioral approaches ignore the fact that stress is not related to physical well-being, which questions its effectiveness in reducing the risk of CHD, which is physiological. Behavioral approach places much emphasis on the relationship between stress and behavior; rather than from a physiological point of view, which argues that stress can impose significant physical conditions such as CHD, high blood pressure. However, it is apparent that behavioral modification is a long-term solution compared to alternative solutions that are mostly short-term (Hoeger and Hoeger 99).

As a concluding remark, reducing the risk of stress related coronary heart disease requires the need to adopt behavioral approaches in stress management in order for individuals to adjust how their respond to stressful situations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Burg, Matthew. “Stress, behavior and heart disease.” Burg, Matthew. How to lower your risk of    heart disease. Yale: Yale University Press, 2000. 95-103. Print.

Girdano, Daniel and George Everly. Controlling stress and tension: a holistic approach. New       York: Allyn and Bacon, 2008. Print.

Hoeger, Werner and Sharon Hoeger. Lifetime physical fitness and wellness: A personalized program. New York: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.

Klipper, Miriam. The relaxation response. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. Print.