Mental Heath and Heart Disease...... Start Changing Your Heart Today

As I mention in the previous blog February is Heart Month and I support and believe in the mission of the American Heart Association.   So I would like to continue discussing things related to heart health. As you know at Boundless Innovations for Holistic Living, (BIHL) we practice a holistic approach so I thought it was important to share information regarding the correlation between heart health and mental illness.  According to the (American Heart Association, 2014) research shows there could be behavioral and physiological connections to mental and heart health.  Some behaviors connected to heart disease may include an individual smoking, drinking or eating fatty comfort foods because they are feeling down.  And some physiological connections are related to biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health issues.  Barry Jacobs, Psy.D. 2014 states, “the head-heart connection should be on everyone’s radar.  It’s not just being unhappy. There are biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health problems including heart disease.”  Varying states of depression, anxiety and stress are considered to be risk factors which may impact blood pressure and heart rate.   Increased stress hormones, high levels of cortisol and high glucose levels are also factors that are associated in heart disease. 

Another correlation considered is heart disease can cause anxiety or depression.  Individuals that have heart disease may lack energy, motivation or feel too overwhelmed to pay attention to both their physical and mental health.  Therefore, it is important that individuals express how they feel both mentally and physically with their health care provider so the individual can receive appropriate treatment. 

Some things individuals may do to help eliminate or prevent some of the behavioral or physiological behaviors associated with heart health are to change your eating habits.  Diet should include things from all food groups which include fruits and vegetables, whole grain/wheat, low fat dairy, and protein emphasizing consuming more fruits and vegetables and whole grains than protein and low fat dairy.  Portion sizes should also be considered eating from a 9-10 inch plate is what is recommended.  Starting or engaging in regular physical activity is also recommended individuals should participate in moderate cardiorespiratory activity at least 3-5 times a week for 30-60 minutes.  However, individuals should start out slow.  Changes should be made gradually. Individuals should not try to do everything at once to ensure success.   In addition, individuals should also seek counseling so individuals are able to learn more effective ways to deal and manage stress and/or any other emotions.

Start Changing your Heart Today!

 

JW

www.americanheartassociation

February is Heart Month

Did you know February is American Heart Month and has been every year since 1964 which began with President Johnson?”  This designation is aimed at increasing awareness that heart disease is the Nation’s No. 1 Killer, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined” (American Heart Association, 2014).  Did you also know February 7, 2014 was National Wear Red Day which recognizes those who struggle with Heart disease and acknowledges all the health care professionals that provide lifesaving treatments, research and advice? 

I’ve participated in a number of events to support, educate and try to raise awareness about Heart Health with the American Heart Association (AHA).  Some of those events include their Heart Walk, the annual Heart Ball and most recently the Go Red for Women Health and Fashion Show.  This organization is very important to me because I believe in their mission.  According to the American Heart Association the organization has invested more than $3.5 billion into studies the most of any entity outside the federal government and is leading the way through awareness, education and funding of medical research.

President Obama’s Administration has a few programs that help to support the AHA’s mission which include the Affordable Health Care Act which allows millions of Americans to have greater access to health care.  In 2011 the Million Hearts was launched which aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 and First Lady Michelle Obama’s  Let’s Move initiative which helps young individuals to make positive choices that will keep them healthy throughout their lives.

Research and history suggest since the early 1960’s annual deaths related to cardiovascular diseases has dropped.  This can be contributed  “to adopting healthy habits – getting regular exercise; not smoking; eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables, low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol –  which reduces risk tremendously” (American Heart Association, 2014).  So if you haven’t done so please commit yourself to saving your heart by educating yourself. Visit the American Heart Association’s website today.

www.americanheartassociation.org