Acute Stress vs Chronic Stress

Acute stress serves as a vital defense mechanism that enables organisms to respond swiftly to immediate threats, activating physiological changes such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, and energy diversion to crucial areas. This response, driven by adrenaline and cortisol, is essential for survival and is meant to be temporary. In contrast, chronic stress is a pervasive state resulting from modern societal pressures, leading to prolonged physiological tension. This chronic state negatively affects health by weakening the immune system, promoting fat accumulation, increasing the risk of heart disease, causing high blood pressure, and heightening stroke risks. Chronic stress also contributes to mental health issues such as depression, can stimulate cancer-promoting genes while suppressing protective ones, and increases inflammation, ultimately disrupting chromosomal function.