Health

Cardiologists Warn: Excessive Ambition and Workplace Stress Increase the Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes

By Dr. Hisham Tayel
Consultant Cardiologist
International Modern Hospital Dubai

In today’s highly competitive world, professional success has become a primary goal for many individuals. Employees, executives, and business leaders often find themselves under constant pressure to achieve more, perform better, and stay ahead. While ambition is generally viewed as a positive driving force, cardiologists are increasingly warning that chronic workplace stress may come with a hidden cost: a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Medical experts emphasize that the connection between psychological stress and heart health is no longer merely observational. A growing body of scientific evidence confirms that prolonged exposure to stress can directly affect blood pressure, heart rhythm, blood vessels, and overall cardiovascular function.

“As a cardiologist, I see every day how the heart pays the price for professional success and the relentless pursuit of achievement,” says Dr. Hisham Tayel, Consultant Cardiologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai. “Many of the patients we treat are not necessarily elderly individuals or people with traditional risk factors. Increasingly, they are professionals experiencing sustained levels of mental and emotional stress.”

According to Dr. Tayel, one of the most common cardiovascular issues observed among individuals in demanding careers is what could be described as a form of stress-related cardiac exhaustion. This often presents as heart palpitations, irregular heart rhythms, or elevated blood pressure that may only become apparent during working hours or periods of intense pressure.

He notes that highly competitive individuals—often classified as Type A personalities—appear particularly vulnerable. These individuals tend to live in a constant state of urgency and mental alertness, leaving little opportunity for the body and heart to recover and relax.

When Stress Becomes a Physical Condition

Stress is far more than an emotional experience. It triggers a complex cascade of biological reactions throughout the body.

When a person is exposed to chronic stress, the body continuously releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. While these hormones are beneficial in short-term situations, prolonged exposure can have harmful effects.

“These hormones cause blood vessels to constrict and increase vascular resistance, which leads to sustained elevations in blood pressure,” explains Dr. Tayel. “At the same time, heart rate increases and may become less stable, forcing the heart muscle to work harder and consume more oxygen.”

Over time, what begins as a normal physiological response can evolve into a chronic cardiovascular burden, increasing the likelihood of long-term heart complications.

How Stress Increases the Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes

The dangers of chronic stress extend beyond elevated blood pressure and palpitations.

Research has shown that long-term stress promotes inflammation throughout the body, one of the key drivers of atherosclerosis—the buildup of fatty plaques inside arteries. These plaques can become unstable and eventually rupture, leading to the formation of blood clots that block blood flow to the heart or brain.

“Chronic stress creates the ideal environment for cardiovascular events,” says Dr. Tayel. “It not only accelerates plaque formation but can also increase blood viscosity and platelet activity, making clot formation more likely.”

This combination significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular complications.

Early Warning Signs Should Never Be Ignored

One of the biggest challenges is that many people dismiss early warning signs as simple fatigue or work-related exhaustion.

Dr. Tayel advises individuals to pay close attention to symptoms such as:

A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or tightness in the chest, especially during stressful situations.
Heart palpitations or sensations that the heart is skipping beats.
Shortness of breath during minimal exertion or even while sitting.
Persistent fatigue despite getting adequate sleep.
Reduced exercise tolerance and unexplained physical exhaustion.

“These symptoms should not be automatically attributed to stress alone,” he cautions. “They deserve proper medical evaluation, particularly if they occur repeatedly.”

Protecting the Heart in High-Pressure Work Environments

While workplace stress may not always be avoidable, there are effective strategies to minimize its impact on cardiovascular health.

Dr. Tayel recommends what he calls the “90-Minute Rule”—taking a five-minute break away from screens, emails, and meetings every hour and a half. These short pauses allow the nervous system and cardiovascular system to recover from continuous stimulation.

He also encourages practicing deep breathing and relaxation techniques, particularly during stressful situations. Controlled breathing can rapidly reduce adrenaline levels and help restore a healthier physiological balance.

Regular physical activity remains one of the most powerful tools for stress management. A brisk 30-minute walk each day helps the body metabolize accumulated stress hormones, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and enhances overall emotional wellbeing.

Equally important are routine medical screenings. Individuals working in demanding professions should regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and overall cardiovascular health.

“Preventive care is not a luxury,” Dr. Tayel emphasizes. “For people in high-stress occupations, it is an essential form of maintenance for the most important engine in the body.”

Success Should Not Come at the Expense of Health

Professional achievement is undoubtedly important, but it should never come at the cost of long-term wellbeing.

“The heart does not distinguish between workplace stress and other forms of emotional pressure,” says Dr. Tayel. “Every additional burden leaves a physiological impact. The key is finding balance—between ambition and recovery, productivity and self-care.”

He stresses that listening to the body’s warning signs, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and learning how to manage stress effectively can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Ultimately, success is most meaningful when it can be enjoyed in good health. By protecting the heart today, individuals can ensure they have the strength and vitality to continue pursuing their goals for years to come.

Health

Novartis: Rare muscle disease drug shows early promise

Novartis (NOVN.S), opens new tab said on Thursday an experimental drug, which it acquired as part of its $12 billion takeover of ‌Avidity, showed promise in an early-to-mid-stage study in patients with a type of genetic muscle disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness.

The Swiss ⁠drugmaker said the drug, known as del-brax, lowered two blood markers linked to the disease and showed reduced signs of muscle damage in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
Novartis said the drug shows potential to become the first disease-modifying ‌treatment ⁠for FSHD, which can cause weakness in the face, shoulders, arms and other muscles.
The company estimates it affects about 45,000 to ⁠87,000 people in the U.S. and EU.
The drug’s safety profile was consistent with previous ⁠results, the company said.
Novartis plans to discuss the data with health regulators ⁠around the world, while a late-stage study of the drug is currently enrolling patients.

The Thomson Reuters

Health

Obesity drug shows promise in reducing belly and liver fat

Boehringer Ingelheim said on Sunday its experimental obesity drug cut visceral and liver fat while minimizing loss of lean mass in ‌a late-stage study, data showed, bolstering its case for benefits beyond weight loss as competition in obesity drugs intensifies.

The drug, survodutide, was licensed from Denmark’s Zealand Pharma (ZELA.CO), opens new tab. An injectable that mimics the proteins GLP-1 and glucagon to create a feeling of fullness, its weight-loss trial results were announced in April, showing patients lost an average of 16.6% over 76 weeks.

Analysis of a group of patients who had MRI measurements at the start and end of a 76-week trial showed that survodutide reduced harmful ⁠abdominal fat by up to 34% and liver fat by up to 63.1% from the baseline, Boehringer said.

Analysts have said the weight-loss numbers were broadly comparable to existing GLP-1 injections from Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), opens new tab and Eli Lilly (LLY.N), opens new tab and below newer rivals in development, and that the company needed to differentiate the drug’s benefits.

Lean mass accounted for no more than 10.8% of the change in body composition at the highest dose of 6 milligrams, suggesting the weight loss was driven mainly by fat reduction.

The drug’s effect on liver-fat reduction and preservation of lean mass are central to whether it will be able to stand out commercially, alongside tolerability and how long patients stay on the drug. Detailed data from the study could help Boehringer make a ‌stronger case ⁠that survodutide should be judged not only by pounds lost but by where weight is lost.

“We believe survodutide will become an important new option at the intersection of obesity and liver disease, two conditions that are deeply connected but rarely addressed together,” said Boehringer executive Shashank Deshpande, who leads the company’s human medicines business.

Boehringer acquired the rights in 2011 to solely develop and commercialise survodutide from Zealand, which is ⁠entitled to royalty payments on global revenue.

PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASE BENEFIT

In a separate late-stage study of overweight or obese patients with a fatty liver disease called MASLD, survodutide met both its main goals.

After 48 weeks, up to 84.2% of patients on the drug showed ⁠a liver fat reduction of at least 30%, compared with 24.3% for those on placebo. Patients on survodutide also lost up to 12.2% of their body weight, versus 1% for placebo.

In 61% of the patients the drug helped achieve liver fat ⁠normalization, or a liver fat content below 5%, compared with 5.7% on placebo.

U.S. biotech Altimmune (ALT.O), opens new tab is also developing a drug that targets both the appetite-suppressing gut hormone, GLP-1, and glucagon.

Survodutide is also being tested in other late-stage studies, including for patients with fatty liver disease and fibrosis.

REUTERS

Health

Millions with breast cancer could safely skip chemotherapy

Millions of people with breast cancer could safely avoid chemotherapy as scientists have developed a DNA test that can distinguish between patients who are likely to benefit from the treatment and those who are not, according to trial results.

The international study found that more than two-thirds of its participants could be spared the side of effects of chemotherapy and treated with hormone therapy alone.

Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, nausea, hair loss, a weakened immune system and fertility issues.

The study, led by University College London (UCL), involved more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients over the age of 40 in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

Scientists used a gene test called Prosigna to measure the activity of 50 genes involved in breast cancer growth and calculate a patient’s risk of the disease returning.

Those who received a low score – two-thirds of the group – were not treated through chemotherapy. The five-year survival rate of their group was 93.7%, compared with a 94.9% rate among patients who received chemotherapy as part of their care.

The primary treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery to remove tumours. Chemotherapy is often recommended afterwards to diminish the risk of return.

It is also regularly offered to people with early-stage breast cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.

Clinicians are concerned the treatment provides little benefit to those with the most common type of breast cancer, UCL said.

The university said more than 5,000 NHS patients a year could avoid chemotherapy as a result of the trial.

Karen Bonham, from Cardiff, took part in the trial and said the results are an “immense relief” and feel “like Christmas”.

The 64-year-old avoided chemotherapy thanks to the Prosigna test and has instead received radiotherapy and hormone therapy over eight years.

“Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be shocking,” she said.

“It certainly propels you into a world of uncertainty. Life priorities realign – you simply want to survive.”

The findings of the study will be presented at the world’s largest cancer conference, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, in Chicago, United States, on Saturday.

Professor David Miles, a leading cancer specialist, described the findings as “practice-changing”.

“We can now confidently predict many patients will get no benefit at all, and therefore there’s no need for them to have the chemotherapy,” he told BBC’s Newshour.

He added that the test would allow doctors to “confidently define a large population of women who simply aren’t going to benefit and don’t need to go through all that unpleasantness for no benefit at all.”

“We used to give chemotherapy to 100 women to benefit 10, knowing that 90 didn’t need it,” he said.

Tanya Hutson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and had chemotherapy as part of her treatment, called the new DNA test “absolutely amazing”.

“It just proves what happens when money is put into research,” she said, adding that chemotherapy had been “brutal”.

“For all these people out there who don’t need it but are still getting it – it’s an absolute game changer.”

It is not known whether the findings apply to people under the age of 40, with a result still several years away, according to UCL.

BBC