STRESS IS A PHYSICAL AS WELL AS A MENTAL PROBLEM. Severe stress can affect the body profoundly, both in the short term (while the stress is ongoing) and in the long term (as an after-effect).
This is what happens to your body when you’re stressed: your heart beats faster under ‘orders’ from increased levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. The vessels of the heart dilate and raise your blood pressure. There’s even some evidence to suggest this kind of cardiac pressure can increase cholesterol.