We know that by improving your risk factors in one area, you are likely reducing them in another area too. This article looks at how your heart health can be impacted by your mental health.
Decades of research has revealed several, and sometimes surprising, links between heart health and mental health. Some have even suggested that both may cause one another. Here are some links worth noting:
- Anxiety is associated with a 41% higher risk of developing heart disease.
- When compared to non-depressed individuals, depressed patients have a 2-4-fold increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
- For those with high stress levels, lowering your stress can also lower your blood pressure.
- The brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ in the body. A 2010 study found that low levels of HDL cholesterol (the good type of cholesterol) is linked to long-term depressive symptoms.
Most of us are probably aware that too much stress isn’t a good thing. But what exactly is the impact of stress on our heart? Studies have linked stress to changes in the way blood forms clots, which makes a heart attack more likely. In addition to this, research has found that men who report high levels of stress are twice as likely to die of a stroke compared to those reporting low stress levels.
When it comes to mental health (and heart health!) we need to work to stay ahead of the curve. Want to learn more about the links to good health? Chat to us today about what we can offer your workforce. We have options for every workplace.