Can a stressful event trigger a heart attack?

Q: I was divorced about six months ago (not amicably) and since then I intermittently feel a heaviness and pressure in my chest. So, is this all in my head or is this something I should have my doc look into? — Gary S., Hoboken, New Jersey

A: Get thee to thy doc or an urgent care center immediately; it can’t hurt and can only help, both physically and emotionally. There is a physical condition called broken heart syndrome.

It’s caused by a strong emotional reaction to lost love that triggers a chronic surge of stress hormones such as cortisol. That can compromise heart function, and continued stress may then make it harder for your heart to recover.

A recent study in BMJ looked at more than 1.6 million Swedish adults and found that folks who had a stress disorder were at an increased risk of a heart attack over the next year.

So when you see your doc, get a checkup and ask about calming techniques such as meditation and about starting an exercise program to get rid of excess cortisol.

Q: My friend just told me that teas have traces of pesticides, lead and other toxic chemicals that can be a health threat. I’m 65 and have been drinking herbal tea most of my life. Should I stop? — Doris D., Gambier, Ohio

A: First off, herbal tea is different than true tea, which contains caffeine. Real tea — green, black, white, yellow, oolong — is derived from the Camellia sinesis plant, a species of the evergreen shrub.

Herbal teas are caffeine-free and are concocted using spices, fruits, herbs, flowers and leaves of various plants.

And no, drinking tea doesn’t put you at a heightened risk for diseases such as cancer. Quite the opposite. Green tea (and coffee) is especially good for you because it contains more polyphenols than the others, but all teas contain these polyphenols, which reduce inflammation, are heart-friendly and help control your blood sugar.

The risks of tea that your friend may be referring to were publicized by a Canadian study published in the Journal of Toxicology that stated, “All brewed teas contained lead, with 73 percent of teas brewed for 3 minutes and 83 percent brewed for 15 minutes having lead levels considered unsafe for consumption during pregnancy and lactation.”

Bottom line: The cardiovascular, anticancer, weight loss, blood pressure and anti-diabetes benefits greatly outweigh any potential health risks.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.