Emotional Health Impacts Heart Health
Emotions such as fear and anxiety can speed up the heartbeat, so conversely, if the heartbeat speeds up, will it cause anxiety or fear? We all know that there is a connection between emotions and physical sensations: when you hear a scary sound, the hair on your arms will stand up; when you hear bad news, you will have a sinking feeling in your gut. But is it the emotions that manipulate the body, or the body that manipulates the emotions? According to two preliminary studies to be presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions, the heart and brain are closely connected, and depression, anxiety and chronic stress can increase the risk of heart and brain complications.
How Emotions Affect the Physiological Mechanisms of the Heart
Short-Term Reactions
Long-Term Effects
Specific Effects of Different Emotions on the Heart
Negative Emotions
- Anger and hostility: Easily induce "broken heart syndrome" (stress-induced cardiomyopathy), manifested as chest pain and shortness of breath, and in severe cases, can lead to heart failure.
- Anxiety and fear: Increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and may even trigger cardiac arrest.
- Depression: Slows down cardiac recovery; mortality rates are 2-3 times higher in myocardial infarction patients with depression.
Positive Emotions
- Pleasure and Relaxation: The parasympathetic nervous system dominates, increasing heart rate variability (a marker of enhanced cardiac adaptability), which helps reduce inflammation levels.
- Social Support and Well-being: Harvard University research found that people with stable social relationships have a 30% lower incidence of heart disease.
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