Heart is one of the most important organs of our body. It acts as a pump, which supplies oxygen rich blood to different parts of the body in order to maintain a healthy body. Heart disease or cardiac disease is a general term used to cover all the malfunctions of the heart. Mental health disorders are very closely associated with coronary heart diseases. It can cause adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the patients with the history heart disease.

 Mechanisms that link heart diseases to mental health disorders: 

Psychosocial factors like stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are the stronger risk factors associated with heart diseases when compared with other health defects. There are several mechanisms which link stress and depression with cardiovascular diseases.

 One of the possible mechanisms is that patients with depression and stress are less likely to comply with medical advice. They are more likely to resort to smoking and drinking and thus leading to hypertension.

 Mental health disorders lead to physiologic changes such as cardiac rhythm disturbances, hyper-cogulability, and inflammation. Depression and anxiety also chronically elevate levels of stress hormones and thereby diverting the body metabolism meant for tissue construction needed to repair the heart diseases. High levels of insulin and cholesterol also increases the risks of heart diseases like heart attacks and cardiac failure.

 Heart disease facts:

Heart disease is related to two conditions, which are myocardial infarction (heart attack) and angina pectoris. When the arteries carrying nutrients and oxygen to the heart become narrow and clogged, it results in coronary heart disease. If the oxygen rich blood does not reach the heart the person develops a pain called angina. The pain is usually in the chest or left arm. When the blood supply is cut off, the unfortunate result is the heart attack.

 Symptoms and signs of heart diseases:

Chest pains or breathlessness are the early signs of heart diseases when the person feels tightness, burning pain, heaviness and pressure behind the breastbone. These signs usually call for immediate medical intervention.

 The symptoms of depression like fatigue, loss of interest in work and activities, loss of appetite, weight loss, and restlessness interfere with the normal functioning of the heart thus leading to heart disease. However, symptoms of depression should not be confused with symptoms of cardiac failure or heart attack. Only the health professionals can evaluate the heart diseases after conducting intensive tests.

Treatment: 

Mental health disorder and heart disease can lead to extreme sickness and death. Prescribed medication under proper supervision, cognitive behavioral therapy which promotes adherence and behavior change, can increase the impact of pharmacological and behavioral approach to both the diseases.

Mental health disorders can be treated under the supervision of skilled professionals like any other diseases depending totally upon the circumstances and symptoms exhibited by the person. 

Strategies for promoting a healthy heart: 

The diagnosis of heart disease in relation to other mental health disorders are the wake up call alerting you to view your own habits that might be harmful or worsen the disease. 

Several measures can be adopted to reduce the symptoms of heart diseases. The support of your family and friends helps you in the transition to a healthy lifestyle. 

• Smoking and drinking which are normally taken to combat stress should be avoided since they lead to increase in heart rate and blood pressure. 
• A healthy nutritional diet with regular fluid intake, fruits and vegetables, limiting sodium, avoiding foods with high saturated and trans fats like red meat, whole milk should be avoided. Small portions of meal with low fat diets and protein rich should be taken. 
• Exercise is the best potential way to improve mental health and they can slow down the risks of heart disease is. Exercise relieves stress, strengthens muscles, gives confidence, and strengthens the cardiovascular system. 

Mental health disorders and heart diseases are two major causes for disability in a person.

It has been established that risks of heart diseases is 2-6 times more common in patients having mental health disorders. Hence, preventing mental and heart diseases plays a vital role in improving the chances of survival.

Heart Diseases and Mental Health Are Closely Related is a post from: Mental Health