how much can a heart take

A heart can take a certain amount of physical and emotional stress, but chronic or intense stress can have damaging effects. Stress triggers hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that increase heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, plaque buildup in arteries, heart rhythm problems, and even heart attacks or heart failure. Sudden severe stress can cause conditions like broken heart syndrome, where heart function temporarily fails. Chronic stress also promotes unhealthy behaviors that further risk heart health. While the heart is resilient, prolonged excessive stress may overwhelm it and lead to serious cardiovascular problems.