This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

Nov. 5, 2019

Anxiety & depression may lead to cardiovascular disease

Recent research shows that people with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can be more prone to developing cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association of Iowa is working closely with employers to help create a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. Warren Phillips, Iowa psychologist, says that stress is triggered when a challenge exceeds what people think they're capable of. Phillips adds that this kind of stress can be a predictor of heart disease, cancer and other chronic health conditions that typically respond to management techniques.

"When we can view a stresser as something that is an exciting challenge, it helps us take some of that energy that we're experiencing, some of the physiological that we're experiencing, and use that as energy to move us forward."

Seventy-six percent of employees report having struggled with an issue that affected their mental health. Phillips says it's important to remember that a little kindness in the workplace goes a long way.

"When we show acts of kindness towards other people, even when we're stressed,  when we behave in kind ways towards other people, it tends to decrease our stress.  It's actually a good stresser to be kind and caring and loving towards others."