Stress can cause increased oxygen demand on the body, spasm of the coronary (heart) blood vessels, and electrical instability in the heart's conduction system. Chronic stress has been shown to increase the heart rate and blood pressure, making the heart work harder to produce the blood flow needed for bodily functions.
Your basal metabolism is the number of calories required to keep your body functioning at rest. People who weigh more are more likely to have a faster basal metabolic rate.
