In a candid Reddit post, an Indian startup employee has shared how his toxic workplace led to a life-threatening heart attack and then rendered him jobless!This person goes by the username @YakStraight1780, has two decades of experience working with US and European companies, and said, “they taught me what a healthy work culture looks like.” he said he joined this Indian startup just out of desperation after being laid off, despite recognising the red flags very early on in his job.The post reads,” It was a classic toxic Indian startup, gaslighting, nepotism, impossible clients and zero respect for its employees”. His posts talks about the toxic night shafts and relentless pressure that he had to endure, which eroded his mental health, values and self-respect. With all this going on, he eventually decided to quit but just after weeks of resigning, he suffered a massive heart attack.His post read,” Within a few weeks, massive heart attack. Two emergency stents. Doctors said 30 minutes more would have been fatal.” Now, I am home, unemployed, with a damaged heart and no clue about my future.”This post ends with what seems like a stark contrast to others stuck in the toxic workplace, working odd hours. But the question is:
Does stress lead to early heart attack
While stress does not directly cause a heart attack, it surely acts a major contributor. Chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure, inflammation, and imbalanced hormones, all of which elevate heart disease risk over time. According to the National Library of Medicine, the study suggests that chronic stress reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, even in healthy individuals. Long-term stress and depression such as any emotional trauma or toxic work environment, can increase the risk of heart diseases, leading to early mortality.Overall, as the WHO mentions, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. An estimated population of 19.8 million people died from Cardiovascular diseases in 2022, which is approximately 32% of global deaths. Of these numerous deaths, 85% were due to stroke or heart attack.
What can one do to avoid heart attacks entirely?
Lifestyle choices matter a lot. Regular exercise, meditation, therapy, sufficient sleep and social support all can lower stress. If you are undergoing any sort of stress or depression, do seek professional medical advice, participate in wellness programs and regular blood tests and ECG during emotional distress can reveal silent ischemia and help guide the treatment.What this means is, stress does not directly affect your heart. But over time, if the stress increases, it can raise the odds of a heart attack. Be sure to practice mindfulness and manage stress in ways that support your overall well-being.
About the Author
