Does Emotional Health Predict Heart Health?

Source: Monstera Production / Pexels

We commonly think of the heart as the seat of emotions, but pragmatically, how is that possible? The heart pumps blood through the body. What does that have to do with emotions?

Quite a lot, in fact. Individuals who measure high in well-being (e.g., positive feeling, optimism, life satisfaction) experience greater cardiovascular health than their peers. A common theory is that greater well-being motivates healthier decisions around exercise, food, sleep hygiene, and more. When you feel better, you take care of yourself better. However, meta-analyses show that the connection between well-being and health behaviors is statistically weak. Feeling optimistic, positive, and satisfied with life relates independently to heart health.

The opposite is also true. Prevalence studies reveal that depressed individuals are more at risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) than their non-depressed peers. They exhibit impaired vascular function, enhanced platelet activation, and increased inflammatory markers—all contributing factors to CAD. The American Heart Association now recognizes depression as an independent risk factor for adverse medical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Having a heart event or procedure can increase the risk of developing depression even further. The lifetime prevalence rate of depression is between 2 and 21%, while in the cardiac surgery population, the prevalence of pre-operative depression ranges from 20% to 47%; postoperatively the prevalence is from 23% to 61%.

For further proof that emotional health affects the physical health of the heart, take broken-heart syndrome, also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This is a proven medical condition in which the heart's main pumping chamber changes shape in response to extreme emotional distress, such as the loss of a loved one or divorce. Symptoms of broken-heart syndrome mimic those of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. If you or someone you know experiences such symptoms, make sure to visit a medical center right away to confirm the diagnosis.

In promising news, cardiology practices are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health in driving positive health outcomes and lower mortality rates post-cardiac procedures. They are querying patients about potential depressive symptoms and connecting people with mental health services when appropriate.

The key takeaway is that your physical health and mental health are inextricably linked. Taking care of yourself and seeking out meaning and joy in life are just as important as such traditional health habits as diet and exercise. So prioritize that bath and good book, knowing that you are being heart-healthy in the process.