During stressful times, your body produces various chemicals, including cortisol, an immune-suppressing hormone. The more cortisol produced, the weaker your immune cells become and the more susceptible you are to illness.

Mental stress does more than diminish your sense of well-being. It also can increase your risk for heart disease.

If you have high blood pressure, you need to know, so you can control it. If you don't, you increase your risk for serious illness.

No matter the source of your stress, it can produce physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can affect any part of the body.

Chronic inflammation damages the inside of coronary arteries and leaves them prone to plaque that clogs the blood vessels. That leads to clots that cause heart attacks.

A nutritious, well-balanced diet and exercise can keep your body fit and able to resist disease, and exercise is an excellent way to elevate your mood.