In the prevention and treatment of many diseases, psychological factors have always been regarded as a very important factor, but how important it is, in fact, different opinions vary.

Some believe that psychological factors only indirectly affect health. The most classic is the theory that chronic stress indirectly increases cardiovascular risk by affecting blood sugar, blood lipids, and obesity.

There are also many doctors who pay too much attention to correcting physical diseases and ignore mental health.

Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a statement in "Circulation": Mental health directly affects the health of the whole body, including the most common heart disease, stroke and so on. "A person's mind, heart and body are all interconnected and interdependent, which can be called the 'mind-heart-body connection'," the statement said.

Research has clearly shown that negative psychological factors, personality traits and mental health disorders can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

On the other hand, studies have found that positive psychological traits are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. "

Mind-Heart-Body Connection (from Circulation)

-- Glenn N. Levine, MD, FAHA, clinical professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Medical Center in Houston, and chair of the scientific statement writing committee.

Negative mental health conditions include depression, chronic stress, anxiety, anger, pessimism, and dissatisfaction with current life. These conditions are associated with potentially harmful biological responses such as: irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal distress, increased blood pressure, inflammation, decreased blood flow to the heart.

Negative mental health is also linked to health behaviors that are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, such as smoking, not exercising, unhealthy diet, being overweight and not taking prescribed medications.

The impact of negative mental health factors on heart disease (from Circulation)

Because of the evidence linking negative mental health to heart disease, the statement recommends regular mental health screening for people with, or at risk of, cardiovascular disease. The authors note that cardiovascular health can be improved with psychotherapy and mind-body programs. Options to improve mental health include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, comprehensive care, stress-reduction therapy, and meditation.

The statement emphasized that research shows that the cumulative effect of everyday stressors and exposure to traumatic events can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Both patient self-reported general stress and work-related stress were associated with up to a 40 percent increased risk of developing or dying from heart disease.

"Most research on mental health is observational, and many involve self-reports by patients, which presents challenges for establishing specific cause-and-effect relationships," Levine said. "However, the vast majority of such studies are highly suggestive, allowing reasonable conclusions to be drawn about the association between negative mental health and cardiovascular risk."

On the other hand, studies have found that positive mental health is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Positive mental health traits include happiness, optimism, gratitude, sense of purpose, life satisfaction, and mindset. "The data are consistent and suggest that positive psychological traits play a role in improving cardiovascular health," Levine said.

The impact of positive mental health factors on heart disease (from Circulation)

People with positive mental health were also more likely to have health factors associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

• Lower blood pressure
• better blood sugar control
• less inflammation
• low cholesterol

Positive mental health is also associated with beneficial health behaviors, such as smoking cessation, physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, increased medication adherence, and regular checkups and health screenings.

Plus, Levine said, social factors may further influence cardiovascular health. People with better mental health tend to have positive social relationships, support and connections, which can facilitate a healthier adaptation to life's challenges.

Levine added: "Health is more than the absence of disease. It is an active process towards a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life, and we must work to reduce the negative aspects of mental health and promote overall positive and healthy For patients with heart disease or those at risk of heart disease, healthcare professionals need to address conditions that affect the body, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, chest pain, etc., while addressing the mental health of the patient."

It's not just about pressure
The effects of chronic stress on the heart are more complex than simply stress overloading our hearts.

Chronic and persistent stress can act like a poison by stimulating the body's excessive inflammatory response, damaging the small blood vessels that supply the heart and some other large blood vessels, while also inducing people to engage in many unhealthy behaviors, such as staying up late and overeating , smoking, drinking, etc. Ultimately affect heart health.

The brain's influence on the heart can sometimes lead to acute cardiovascular symptoms, such as panic attacks and broken heart syndrome, among others. The former sometimes resembles a myocardial infarction attack, and the latter can lead to sudden cardiac death in some healthy people.

This process is related to the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the human body. The former is responsible for acceleration and the latter for braking. Morbid psychology will affect various organs of the human body through the vagus nerve.

The role of the brain and the heart is not one-way, but two-way. Heart health usually also affects mental health. For example, many heart disease patients are also accompanied by depression. Health experts recommend seven proven mind-body treatments that can help people manage stress:

• healthy sleep habits
• good nutrition
• regular exercise
• Outdoor activities
• meditation practice
• Social activities
• psychological care

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