February is American Heart Month, and it serves as a reminder that heart health isn’t just about what you eat or how often you exercise – it’s also about how you handle stress. While stress is a normal part of daily life, chronic stress that goes untreated can quietly take a toll on your heart over time. Understanding the connection is the first step toward protecting both your emotional well-being and your cardiovascular health.

Stress can affect the choices we make without us even noticing. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easier to skip workouts, grab convenient but less nutritious foods, sleep less than normal and spend more time on the couch and less time moving, and outside. These small habits can gradually increase heart disease risk. That’s why managing stress is not just about your mental health, it’s a core part of heart health too.

The goal isn’t to eliminate stress entirely – that isn’t realistic. Instead, focus on helping your body recover and building habits that lower its impact.

1. Move Your Body Regularly – physical activity helps reduce stress hormones and boosts mood. Even short walks, stretching or dancing around the kitchen can make a difference.
2. Take Sleep Seriously – Sleep is when your body resets and it’s so important for your overall health. Aim for a consistent bedtime and create a wind-down routine that helps your body relax.
3. Practice Calming Techniques – Simple strategies like deep breathing, stepping outside for fresh air or short, quiet moments are great to have in your back pocket for the times you need them.

DUBRAVKA STARCEVIC MD, STAR CARDIOLOGY CARE

403 US-202 suite 200, Flemington, NJ
https://www.starcardiologycare.com/

Dr. Starcevic is a non-invasive cardiologist who has been providing compassionate cardiovascular care to patients in Hunterdon County and surrounding areas since 2001. She is passionate about and has special interest in women and heart disease.

YASER ELNAHAR, MD, HUNTERDON CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES

 1100 Wescott Dr Suite G3, Flemington, NJ
https://hunterdoncardiovascular.com/tt_doctor/yaser-elnahar/

Dr. Elnahar graduated from Binghamton University. He completed his medical education from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. He then went to St. Joseph’s Medical Center to begin his cardiology fellowship where he became the Chief Cardiology Fellow in 2012.

DR. ANDREY ESPINOZA, ADVANCED HEART AND CASCULAR INSTITUTE

 Raritan Commons, 200 Route 31 North, Suite 101, Flemington, NJ
https://hunterdonheartandvascular.com/

Dr.  Andrey Espinoza, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist, specializing in interventional cardiology, has been providing state of the art cardiovascular care in Hunterdon County since 2004.