Mental health is an integral element of our well-being as human beings. It involves emotional, psychological, and social factors shaping our state of mind and social functioning. Although it is proven that poor mental health can adversely impact the quality of life, we tend to forget that it also has the potential to affect physical health – especially our heart health.
What is the impact of mental health on our heart health? And what are some of the recommended coping mechanisms to minimize the effect? Let’s take a look.
The mind-body connection
Anxiety
Anxiety is a mental health condition which can cause fluctuations in the heartbeat and changes in your blood pressure. During an anxiety or panic attack, the human body releases cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. Cortisol aggravates anxiety and causes heart palpitations and sweating, which is stressful for the heart.
Harvard Medical School states, “A malfunctioning stress response promotes inflammation, which damages the artery linings and sets the stage for coronary plaque buildup. In the long term, untreated anxiety problems can trigger heart disease.
Depression
Depression deeply affects the psychology and emotional well-being of a person. It can increase the production of cortisol in the human body, boosting the heart rate and pressuring the heart. Besides, people with depression may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking, alcohol, overeating, and substance abuse. These undesirable lifestyle choices can affect the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, among other vital organs.
Stress
Feeling stressed is your body’s way of asking for an adjustment. It could be due to strong emotions, long working hours, or a change in your life. During stressful times, your body releases chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline is meant to increase your energy levels, but repeated stress leads to repeated bursts of adrenaline – which can cause heart diseases in the long term.
Cortisol is also a stress hormone that sends panic signals to the brain. It can aggravate stressful feelings and pressure the heart. Repeatedly stressful lifestyles can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart.
Insomnia
Sleep is vital to overall health and well-being. Those with insomnia may not get six to eight hours of sleep per night. It can lead to sleep deprivation and an increased risk of heart disease. Sleep deprivation may not affect your heart directly. However, it is responsible for inflammation, obesity, and stress – all of which can adversely affect your heart.
Behavioral factors
Poor mental health may affect a person’s behavior and reactions to social situations. Struggling with mental health may trigger poor lifestyle choices like excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, substance abuse, binge eating, overeating, social isolation, and a sedentary lifestyle. Such behaviors endanger heart health and put you at risk of heart disease.
Making the right lifestyle choices
Those who live with mental health issues must turn to positive coping strategies such as regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and social support groups to seek help. Individuals who live with stress and mental health conditions should be aware of the influence of mental health on heart health.
The coping mechanisms mentioned above can help promote better heart health, lower blood pressure, and normalize your vital signs. It will help lower the impact of mental health issues on your cardiovascular system.
On the other hand, negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, alcohol consumption, overeating, and self-isolation can be detrimental to your heart health.
Why you should seek immediate help
Now that we recognize that mental health can directly affect heart health, it’s essential to understand the importance of seeking help. No one can deal with mental health challenges alone. Mental health professionals can provide guidance, support, and treatment options which can help you overcome your mental health issues and improve your quality of life.
Delaying treatment of mental health issues may aggravate the condition and deepen the impact it has on your physical health. Mental health professionals help you feel better and guide you towards positive coping mechanisms to improve your emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.
Mental health challenges can be debilitating and bring you to a low point in your life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are several strategies and coping mechanisms that can help you fight mental health issues while you seek treatment for them. Meanwhile, it is essential to remember that seeking timely help and paying attention to your lifestyle choices is vital when posed with a mental health challenge.
