Most people understand that diet and exercise affect heart health, but stress and sleep are just as important. Chronic stress and poor sleep patterns can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and inflammation. If you’ve ever felt your heart race after a stressful situation or experienced fatigue after a restless night, your body is signaling that something isn’t right.

Understanding how stress and sleep impact the heart can help you make healthier choices and reduce long-term risks.