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DALLAS, Texas – The phrase “healthy mind, healthy body” may never have been more relevant than it is in a new heart health study. Researchers from the American Heart Association say positive mental health and being generally optimistic about life can lower your chances of developing heart disease.
“A person’s mind, heart, and body are all interconnected and interdependent in what we might call ‘the mind-heart-body connection,'” says Glenn N. Levine, MD, FAHA, of Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in a press release. “Research has clearly shown that negative psychological factors, personality traits and mental health disorders can negatively impact cardiovascular health. On the other hand, studies have shown that positive psychological attributes are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. “
Poor mental health can be fatal
Just as staying positive can improve lifespan, researchers find that negative psychological health can be just as bad for your health. Mental health issues like depression, stress, anxiety and anger can all lead to heart disease risks, researchers say.
The study finds that patients with these psychological problems generally have a higher risk of abnormal heart rate and rhythm, digestive problems, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and less blood flow to the body. heart.
These mental disorders are also linked to behaviors that can put patients at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. The study’s authors find that patients with negative psychological health tend to be smokers, be physically inactive, overweight, or not take their medications.
Researchers recommend that regular mental health screenings be part of the standard cardiovascular disease checkup. The study authors note that psychological therapy and similar programs can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.
Along with unhealthy habits and poor mental status, the study finds that daily stressors and traumatic events can also lead to heart disease or stroke. Patients who report having both work-related stress and high stress in general have a 40% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
“Most studies of psychological health are observational, and many involve patient self-reporting, which presents challenges in establishing specific cause-and-effect relationships,” says Levine. “However, a preponderance of such studies is very suggestive and allows reasonable conclusions to be drawn about an association between negative psychological health and cardiovascular risk.
Being happy can save your life
However, when you literally look on the bright side of things, researchers find a host of health benefits.
“The data is consistent, suggesting that positive psychological traits play a role in better cardiovascular health,” adds Levine.
The study authors find that people with a positive mental state are more likely to experience lower blood pressure, better blood sugar control, less inflammation, and lower cholesterol. These people are also more likely to quit smoking, become more active, and eat a healthy diet.
However, positive mental health isn’t just about the way you think. Researchers say people with better mental health tend to have more positive social relationships and a greater support network.
“Well-being is more than just the absence of illness. It is an active process geared towards a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life, and we must strive to reduce the negative aspects of psychological health and promote an overall positive and healthy state of being. In patients with or at risk for heart disease, healthcare professionals should address the mental well-being of the patient in tandem with the physical conditions affecting the body, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, pain thoracic, etc. ”, Baylor’s master clinician and professor of medicine concludes.
The study appears in the journal Circulation.
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