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Heart Disease: Possible Causes and Prevention
taken from Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions, and
Relationships by Keith J. Karren, Brent Q. Hafen, N. Lee Smith, and
Kathryn J. Frandsen
Hostility and Heart Disease
Many studies have focused on hostility as a major factor relating to
heart disease. Traits most common to coronary artery disease might possibly
include aggressive tendencies, a desire for power and achievement, and
anger and hostility. Hostility is thought to be an independent factor
for coronary artery disease. Strong evidence suggests that hostility
alone damages the heart and might be linked to coronary blockage. High-risk
behavior is usually associated with hostility. Studies show that hostility
might increase the level of cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream.
Anger and Heart Disease
Misused anger is also thought to be one of the leading predictors of
cardiovascular disease. Researchers believe one reason why anger may
cause heart disease is the fact that individuals who keep their anger
inside are slowest at getting rid of dietary fat, causing high cholesterol
and heart problems.
Depression and Heart Disease
Depression is another condition possibly linked to heart disease. Depression
can cause irregularities in the nervous system, causing irregularities
in heart rate, blood pressure, which can lead to cardiac problems. Some
researchers believe depression is so profound that they can predict
which individuals will have a heart attack based only on the individual's
state of depression. Studies have shown that death from heart disease
is related to depression, with those individuals who are depressed and
hopeless suffering four times more deaths caused by heart disease.
Emotional Stress and Heart Disease
Emotional stress and heart disease have long been linked. Emotional
stress can cause angina (chest pains) that can occur when the heart
muscle is short of oxygen and is sometimes aggravated by emotional stress.
This stress can increase an individual's heart rate and blood pressure
and can then overload the heart causing spasms, pains, and/or heart
failure. Studies have shown that one of the most common factors related
to cardiac death is strong levels of emotion. Researchers believe when
dealing with heart disease, mental stress is just as dangerous as physical
stress.
Social Connections and Heart Disease
Researchers believe that social support appears to affect the heart.
They have found that individuals who have even the most simple of social
ties have a greater chance of protecting their heart. They believe that
social interaction lowers an individual's blood pressure and heart rate,
providing good health for one's heart.
Exercise and Heart Disease
And remember, at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week
can lower an individual's cholesterol and blood pressure levels, burn
stored fat, reduce stress and tension, increase levels of energy, and
help aid against injury and disease, all of which help reduce the risk
of heart disease!!
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