When you think of lifestyle habits to support a healthy cardiovascular system, things like diet, exercise, and smoking cessation often come to mind. However, mental health is also key to long term cardiovascular wellness. October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, with the purpose of bringing awareness to mental health issues. Let’s review the connection between mental health and heart health.
What is the connection between mental health and cardiovascular risk?
Mental health and heart disease risk is a two-way street, psychological distress can increase the risk of heart disease, while having cardiac issues can also trigger depression and emotional difficulties. Understanding the connection between mental health disorders and the cardiovascular system can help bring awareness to this important relationship and underscore the importance of early screenings and treatment for better outcomes.
Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic stress can directly impact the body, namely the heart, by causing elevated levels of stress hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol), leading to increases in inflammation, heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids. Over time this can cause significant disruptions in the cardiovascular system, resulting in irregular heartbeats, chest pain, damage to blood vessels and potential cardiac events such as stroke and heart attacks.
Emotional distress and mental health struggles can also indirectly effect heart health by causing social isolation and interfering with self-care such as attending regular medical appointments and screenings, eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular activity. There is also increased susceptibility to risky behaviors such as alcohol, smoking, drugs, all of which only worsen cardiac risk. For those who already have a heart condition or experienced a cardiac event, depression and other mental illnesses can delay recovery due to intensifying pain and fatigue. Whether it is firsthand injury to the body or secondhand damage through social and lifestyle factors, mental health disorders can take a toll on the heart.
On the other hand, having a cardiovascular condition can also lead to difficulties with mental health. Research has shown that mental illness can arise after cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke and with heart failure. Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress can follow. The burdens of cardiovascular issues, such as pain, disability, fear of death and financial hardship can understandably bring on issues with mental health.
Mental wellness is key for those with a history of cardiovascular disease or wanting to decrease risk of developing it. Early screenings and seeking prompt treatment are important for quality of life and a healthy heart.