how much does stress affect a1c

Stress can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels and, consequently, your A1C results. Here’s how stress affects A1C:

• Hormonal Response: Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase blood sugar levels.
• Chronic Stress: Prolonged stress can lead to consistently elevated blood sugar levels, which may raise your A1C over time.
• Behavioral Factors: Stress can also lead to unhealthy habits like poor diet, lack of exercise, or irregular medication use, further affecting blood sugar control.

While stress doesn’t directly measure in the A1C test, its effects on blood sugar can influence the results. Managing stress through techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and adequate sleep can help maintain better blood sugar control.