Dr. Vasant Basdeo Warns of Chronic Stress’s Toll on Trinidad and Tobago’s Health

Listeners were welcomed to the “Lunchtime Doctor” segment on Freedom 106.5 FM, where the program introduced family physician Dr. Vasant Basdeo. Dr. Basdeo used the platform to explain that stress is not merely a mental feeling but a measurable physiological response that can damage the body when it becomes chronic.

He described the body’s autonomic nervous system, dividing it into the “gas pedal” (sympathetic) and the “brake pedal” (parasympathetic). In response to perceived threats, the sympathetic branch triggers the amygdala-hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. These hormones accelerate heart rate, raise blood pressure, increase blood sugar, and prepare muscles for fight-or-flight. While useful in short bursts, continuous activation overwhelms the system: digestion stops, the immune system is suppressed, and the reproductive system is paused.

Dr. Basdeo linked chronic activation to several non-communicable diseases that dominate Trinidad and Tobago’s mortality statistics. Non-communicable diseases account for over 62% of deaths, with cardiovascular disease responsible for 33% of those fatalities. He highlighted that persistent stress contributes to hypertension, noting a prevalence of 42.4% among adults aged 30-79, and to type-2 diabetes, affecting roughly one in five adults. Complications such as micro- and macro-vascular damage have already led to 269 major lower-limb amputations in the public health system in 2024 alone.

The doctor emphasized that stress also weakens immunity, reducing lymphocyte production and increasing susceptibility to viral infections, including seasonal flu and dengue. To counteract these effects, Dr. Basdeo advocated for activating the parasympathetic (brake) system, especially through vagus-nerve stimulation. He explained that breathing techniques can trigger the vagus nerve, releasing acetylcholine, which lowers heart rate, dilates blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, and re-engages digestive and immune functions.

Listeners were encouraged to submit questions via WhatsApp (306 1065) or call after the first half-hour of the program. Dr. Basdeo concluded that understanding the biological basis of stress and employing simple breath-control practices can help mitigate the silent epidemic of chronic disease driven by sustained stress in the nation.