The Heart-Mind Connection: How Mental Health Is Related to Heart Disease
The term “mental health” is one most people have heard, and for good reason. Mental health is a big part of each person’s overall health and mental health disorders are prevalent in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 5 adults. [1, 2]. They affect more than how we think and feel — mental health disorders can affect the body, too.
Studies have shown that mental health and risk for heart disease are connected. Disorders like depression and anxiety and experiences like trauma and ongoing stress are associated with increased risk for heart disease. [1]
There are two ways mental health and heart disease can become connected: through changes in the body (biological) and through changes in behavior.
The biological connection between mental health and heart disease:
Over time, mental health issues can have physical effects like raised blood pressure and heart rate (pulse), reduced blood flow to the heart, and higher levels of stress hormones (cortisol). These physical changes can lead to calcium buildup in the arteries, metabolic disease, and heart disease.
There’s also research showing an association between heart disease events like heart failure, stroke, and heart attacks and mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These mental health disorders can develop from factors related to the heart disease event like pain, fear of death or disability, and financial challenges.
The behavioral connection between mental health and heart disease:
Mental health issues can increase the chance of risky health behaviors like smoking, not getting enough physical activity, making less healthy food choices, and not taking prescribed medications properly.
People experiencing mental health disorders may have a harder time sticking to the healthy routines that help prevent heart disease.
Mental health disorders can amount to much more than feeling down — they can also affect our bodies and our choices. Taking care of your mental health can be an important part of your heart health action plan. Know the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions so you can catch them as early as possible, get support, and protect your mind, heart, and overall health.
Mental Illness. NIMH.
Mental Health. SAMHSA
Heart Disease and Mental Health Disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.