A new study has suggested that early life stress may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

The study published in the online journal Hypertension found that early life stress increased sensitivity to a hormone known to increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in adult life.

Researchers subjected rat pups to chronic behavioral stress by separating them from their mothers for three hours daily for two weeks. Although the animals did not show any long-term indicators of cardiovascular disease such as increased blood pressure, heart rate or inflammation in blood vessel walls, they say an infusion of a stress hormone when they reached adulthood dramatically increased all of the key indicators for heart problems.

Lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Pollock notes that the animals that were subjected to stressors early in life could not adapt to stress as well as other normal animals.

Researchers also noted that although the adult rats seemed fine until stressed, stress is inevitable in life.

In addition to heart problems, stress has also been linked to other health issues like headaches, sleep problems, stomach problems and decreased immunity, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Natural methods of reducing stress include exercise, relaxation and breathing exercises, tai chi, yoga and meditation.