Stress is related to cardiac disease both directly, by triggering cardiac events, and indirectly, by increasing risky behaviors such as poor diet and smoking.

To prevent heart disease, physicians need to help their patients learn how to better manage stress. We should look at how patients respond to challenges in their lives. Is their stress level greatest at home or at work? We need to work creatively with patients to better deal with stress, exploring time management, relaxation, or conflict-resolution techniques. Exercise can provide a great leveler for some patients, improving their mood when facing depressive states or decreasing their anxiety level. For those few patients who have a pathological disorder that may be stressful, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or manic depression, we should consider prescribing the appropriate medications.