Cardiac health is an often discussed topic. Contribution of physical fitness and balanced diet towards a healthy heart is well known. But when heart is involved can mind be far behind? Read on to find how the mind affects the heart.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of mortality in India. The risk factors associated with CVD is so rampantly prevalent in India that now 1 in 4 deaths is due to heart-related illness.
A few decades ago, cardiac health was a cause of concern only for the aged, while regular screenings were advised above 50 years of age. However, the line is now well and truly blurred. It is not uncommon for us to hear about individuals succumbing to cardiac arrests in their late twenties and early thirties now. While genetic factors involved cannot be discounted, improper eating & sleeping habits, rise in the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and so on, all point towards lifestyle choices that govern the younger generation.
The connection between a sedentary lifestyle and cardiac illnesses has been well established, but the trend of getting affected even in the prime of their health points towards the other contributing factor: Mental Health.
Stress is often underlined as a significant contributor towards mortality. The term ‘stress’ is interchangeably used with ‘anxiety’ many times. According to Canadian Mental Health Association, although the ‘flight or fright’ response and physical sensations may be similar, there are remarkable differences between stress and anxiety.
Stress is mainly caused due to external stimulus and can be attributed to its cause. It may as well be alleviated if the situation passes. However, anxiety is about self’s fears and worries. Anxiety can be both generalized as well as specific. It is the generalized anxiety that is classified as a disorder and is troublesome much like chronic stress.
The association between anxiety and CVD is still not fully understood, but is strongly suspected. Chronic anxiety greatly alters the stress response. When hormone levels are constantly varying due to excessive ‘flight or fright’ response many physiological changes are manifested such as weakened immune system, shortness of breath, irregular heart rhythms. It is these factors that pose a challenge to our cardiac health.
The interaction between physical and mental health is still being explored. While the physiological symptoms may be fairly similar, how each individual reacts and copes psychologically is largely different.
In unprecedented times such as these feelings of anxiety are quite common. We also know that with regard to Covid-19 infection those with underlying cardiac conditions are at higher risk. Thus it is now even more important to recognize our state of mind, for acceptance is the first step towards action.
Let us start to take care of our hearts & minds and tide through the difficult times.
Mental health awareness week is observed from 4th October to 10th October worldwide while the World Heart Day was recently celebrated on 29th September, 2020. With this article we at Life Teck Research Centre would like to bring forth attention to their congruence.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Anxiety and Heart disease: A Complex connection. Harvard Health Publishing. October, 2017 https://tinyurl.com/y32sv8r5
2. Anxiety and Heart Disease. John Hopkins Medicine. https://tinyurl.com/yxdgxfm6
3. What’s the difference between anxiety and stress? Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. https://tinyurl.com/y37mloo3
4. Psychological Stress and Cardiovascular Disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. April, 2008 https://www.onlinejacc.org/content/51/13/1237.full
5. How does Worrying Affect the Body? WebMD. https://tinyurl.com/y6buceyu
Read About | The Science of Smell authored by Pooja S Madhavan
Pooja S Madhavan
Lead - Business Process and Planning
Life Teck Research Centre
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