Mind Your Heart

We may have been taught to believe that the heart and brain are cradles for two different sources of human emotions: passions reside in the heart, and the brain comprises the analytical portion of our make-up and never the twain shall they meet. But that is not how scientists today view these two structures. They consider these two organs as interdependent, or to use the language of those wearing lab coats, bidirectional: what is good for one is good for the other, and the reverse. In other words, our mood disorders take a toll on our cardiovascular health and our heart ailments can lead to depression and anxiety, among the illnesses we associate with the mind.

How are these two body parts linked?  Let’s take them each, independently – at least for this blog.

·        Depression is usually related to increased inflammation, which is a leading cause of heart disease.  Also, depression can increase platelet reactivity, making cells more likely to clump and to form blood clots.  These two factors are the chief causes of heart attacks and strokes. Also, your mood swings may cause you to “accidentally” forget to take your heart medications and may lead to unhealthy behaviors that can affect your heart, such as smoking, excessive eating, and turning to alcohol for temporary relief.

·         Studies have established that rates of depression and anxiety are higher for those with coronary disease and heart failure.  They are always on the watchlist for anyone who has undergone a heart bypass surgery or has had a heart attack.   The reason is simple: a healthy heart means that your blood (which contains oxygen) circulation is reaching your brain so that it is able to function normally.  (What is normal? Don’t ask.)

How do you maintain a healthy heart?  There are seven proactive activities that are doable that tells us (and our health care providers) whether we are doing all that is possible:  managing our blood pressure, controlling our bad cholesterol level, reducing our blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in physical activity, and quitting (if you have already started) smoking.

This co-dependent relationship means that when we are challenged by either one of these two illnesses, we need to discuss both our emotional and our cardiovascular health in tandem.  We would never ride a two-wheeled bike with one of the wheels gone, or plant a wholesome seedling in parched earth, the same applies to our health.  Preserving our brain power and maintaining our heart health go hand in hand.

Have any thoughts on the issue? Share them with us at www.MatureAging.com, and we may post them (only after getting your permission) in a future edition.

Till next time,

Josh