• It increases the likelihood of high blood pressure (hypertension).
• It makes the arteries constrict, limiting blood flow to the heart and brain.
• It can make the blood stickier, increasing the chance of clots.
• It may prompt the body to transfer fat from tissues to the bloodstream, causing a temporary increase in blood-cholesterol levels.

Stress can be caused by external pressures or internal perception. Sometimes you can remove some of the stress in your life. You could change to a less stressful job; avoid stressful situations (shop at a less busy time to avoid waiting in line); or plan ahead to deal with situations that cause stress (have gifts on hand for unexpected occasions).
Sometimes the amount of stress you experience depends on your perception of that stress. We all know people who seem to handle tremendous amounts of stress with no problem. It’s all in the way they perceive the situation.