Healthier heart, Healthy brain?

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You’re probably aware that maintaining good heart health necessitates a healthy diet, regular exercise, and the management of well-known risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure. Your brain also plays an important role in heart health.

In recent years, researchers have discovered a growing link between poor mental health and an increased risk of heart disease. This may not come as a surprise given that mental health disorders can have an impact on your behavior. If you are depressed, you may be less likely to exercise regularly or to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Furthermore, some issues that affect our mental health, as well as certain mental health disorders, can cause physical changes in the body that can increase heart risk in a variety of ways.

Depression

Depression and heart disease are linked in a two-way street. According to one review article, depression roughly doubles your risk of developing coronary artery disease. According to other studies, people who already have heart disease are three times more likely to be depressed than the general population. One out of every five heart attack survivors develop depression. In addition, in people who have already had a heart attack, depression is an independent risk factor for having another one. This could be due in part to the fact that people who are depressed are less likely to quit smoking, take prescribed medications, or exercise — even after a heart attack.

Anger and hostility

According to one review article, people who are frequently angry are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiac event than others.

Social isolation

Men and women who live alone are significantly more likely to have a heart attack or die suddenly from one, according to research. On the other hand, older adults who have a strong social network are significantly less likely to die over a 10-year period than those who do not have a strong social network.

Stress

This is because long-term stress can raise blood pressure, reduce blood flow to the heart, decrease the heart’s pumping ability, trigger abnormal pumping rhythms, and activate the blood’s clotting system and its inflammatory response, among other things.” Studies have shown that chronic stress may be more damaging to your heart than major life changes. There is evidence to support the notion that women who spend at least nine hours a week caring for their disabled spouses are more likely to suffer or die from cardiovascular disease compared to women without such responsibilities.

Taking Steps Towards a Healthier Heart

If you are suffering from any of these issues, there are steps you can take to improve your mental health and, potentially, your heart health.

1. Reduce your stress.  Stress reduction is a significant challenge for almost everyone these days. Mindfulness meditation, which encourages self-awareness and a focus on the present, is one strategy that can help. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate high-quality sleep can also help keep stress at bay.
2. Keep your mind active. Brain-stimulating activities can help improve your mental health. Take up a new hobby, try a new walking route, or try a new activity to add some variety to your day.
3. Collaborate with a professional. A mental health professional can assist you in dealing with a variety of issues, including past trauma. Medication and talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (which is designed to break negative thought patterns), are just a few of the options that may be helpful.
4. Improve your way of life. When you’re depressed or struggling emotionally, it’s easy to let healthy eating and exercise slip. Making small, manageable daily improvements, on the other hand, adds up to better overall health. Even small changes, such as eating more fruits and vegetables or walking around the house, can help. Find physical activities that you enjoy that will help you stay motivated.