We often think of stress as something that affects our mood or sleep. But it also puts pressure on the heart. According to the American Heart Association, stress triggers the release of adrenaline—raising your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Over time, this strain can lead to more serious cardiovascular problems.
Protecting Your Heart
The best defense? Healthy habits. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep all help your body handle stress more effectively. On the other hand, comfort foods, smoking, and too much alcohol may feel helpful in the moment, but they often lead to long-term damage.
Harvard’s Dr. Bhatt puts it simply: “Stress leads to heart disease through unhealthy habits. Break the cycle by managing both.”
Melaleuca’s ProvexCV contains grape seed extract, shown to support blood pressure and healthy circulation. For added support, The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends the Vitality Pack with CellWise, Provex Plus, and Sustain Sport. Vitality Calcium Complete helps ease tension and promote calm, and essential oils like lavender and orange can also support relaxation when diffused.
The Omega-3 Advantage
Omega-3s help lower plaque buildup in arteries and improve cognitive function. Because the body doesn’t make omega-3 on its own, supplements are essential. Melaleuca offers several:
Phytomega – Heart-supportive plant sterols plus EPA and DHA
CardioOmega EPA – For cardiovascular health and inflammation
Vitality Coldwater Omega-3 – Ideal 2:1 ratio of DHA to EPA
Vitality Omega-3 Crème – A smooth option with 660 EPA and 420 DHA
Prenatal Omega-3 – Perfect for expecting and nursing mothers
Bonus: Omega-3s may also improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression—especially when EPA levels are higher than DHA.
Breathe Deeply
Stress can mimic the chest tightness of angina, though the causes are different. If you ever experience persistent chest pain, see your doctor. But for stress-related tension, deep breathing exercises are a powerful tool. Practiced regularly, they lower stress hormones, improve sleep, and calm emotional responses.
Your heart works hard for you. Show it some love—nourish it, rest it, and protect it well.
For more on cardiovascular health, see the heart health chapters in The Melaleuca Wellness Guide.
— Richard M. Barry