{"id":245,"date":"2025-02-26T18:55:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T18:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracepwc.com\/blog\/?p=245"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:32:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T15:32:54","slug":"mental-heart-health-understanding-the-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracepwc.com\/blog\/mental-heart-health-understanding-the-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental & Heart Health: Understanding the Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an effort raise awareness about heart disease, which is currently the leading cause of death in the United States, it is important to understand the intrinsic connection between your hearth health and your mental health. While it has long been known that suffering from heart disease can have a negative impact on a patient\u2019s mental health, research is now uncovering that the reverse can be just as true \u2013 suffering from certain mental health conditions can put a patient at higher risk for developing heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Connection Between Mental Health & Heart Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving mental health issues isn\u2019t just about being unhappy; it\u2019s having biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health issues, including heart problems. So the head-heart connection should be an important consideration in patient care.\u201d \u2013 American Heart Association<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from heart disease, are more prone to developing mood disorders. In an effort to boost their mood, heart disease patients may participate in unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits, and also are prone to avoid healthy ones, due to a lack of energy. Similarly, dealing with traumatic events caused by health disease, such as heart attack or stroke, can lead to living with fear, stress, depression, and anxiety, that may develop into long term mental health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


According to the CDC<\/a>, \u201cMental health disorders can be short- or long-term and can interfere with a person’s mood, behavior, thinking, and ability to relate to others. Various studies have shown the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety, and stress on the body, including stress on the heart.\u201d
A person\u2019s mental health can significantly impact their heart health, because increased stress levels in the body over time can lead to increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and inflammation \u2013 all of which are contributors to developing heart disease.
In addition, some mental health conditions can have an impact on physiological processes such as blood clotting and blood vessel function, which in turn can have a negative impact on heart health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Mental Health Disorders Are Connected w\/ Heart Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mental health is essential to our overall well-being and encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social health. It influences our thoughts, feelings, actions, and decision-making processes.
Some of the most common mental health disorders associated with heart disease include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n