Mechanism of Emotional-Heart Connection
Negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or fear trigger the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These two hormones increase blood pressure, speed up the heart rate, and increase the workload of the cardiovascular system. On the other hand, positive emotions such as gratitude and happiness lower stress hormone levels, stabilize blood pressure, and maintain the balance of the autonomic nervous system. This shows that the heart is not only a physical organ, but also greatly influenced by psychological conditions.
The Impact of Negative Emotions
Unmanaged negative emotions are the main risk factors for heart disease:
- Chronic stress increases hypertension, inflammation, and the risk of coronary heart disease.
- Excessive anger can trigger a spike in blood pressure that puts you at risk of heart attack.
- Depression is often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, such as lack of exercise and poor diet.
The Impact of Positive Emotions
Positive emotions serve as a natural protector of the heart:
- Gratitude and happiness lower cortisol levels and keep blood pressure stable.
- Optimism is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
- Social relationships increase the hormone oxytocin which relaxes blood vessels
How to Manage Emotions for Heart Health
Managing emotions effectively supports heart and mental health:
- Breathing exercises and meditation lower blood pressure and stress hormones.
- Regular exercise releases endorphins for a positive mood while strengthening the heart.
- Getting enough sleep, social connections, and journaling reduce emotional burden.
Heart health depends not only on diet and physical activity, but also on emotional balance. By managing stress, cultivating gratitude, and maintaining social relationships, we can protect our hearts while improving our quality of life. A healthy heart starts from a calm heart.
References:
1. Adrian, Dr. Kevin. The Impact of Long-Term Stress on Heart Health and How to Overcome It. November 12, 2024. Alodokter. Available at: https://www.alodokter.com/stres-jangka-panjang-dapat-berdampak-pada-kesehatan-jantung
2. Fadli, dr. Rizal.. Stress Can Trigger Heart Disease at a Young Age, What Is the Cause?. October 09, 2024. halodoc. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/stres-bisa-memicu-sakit-jantung-di-usia-muda-apa-sebabnya
3. Pratomo, dr. Muhammad Arman. The Relationship between Depression and Mental Health and Cardiovascular Disease. 04 January 2024. keslan.kemkes. Available at: https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/3080/hubungan-depresi-dan-kesehatan-mental-dengan-penyakit-kardiovaskular
4. Hazami, dr. Zakky, Sp.JP-FIHA. Is it true that emotions can cause a person to have a heart attack? January 23, 2024. ekahospital. Available on: https://www.ekahospital.com/better-healths/benarkah-emosi-dapat-menyebabkan-seseorang-mengalami-serangan-jantung