HERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT STRESS & YOUR HEART:
The Stress Reaction-
- The reaction we have to a stress creates and/or worsens many disease states in our bodies.
- As we have discussed before, short bursts of the stress response can be positive on the system. It is the prolonged activation of the stress response (Sympathetic Nervous System) that can create diseased states.
- The heart works harder, blood pressure goes up, blood vessel system can be impacted, blood fats and blood glucose levels become elevated. All of these can have detrimental effects on the heart.
- That’s the bad news. The good news is we can change our physiologic reaction to stress.
Heart Rate Variability-
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a normal change that happens in the heart from one beat to the next.
- This natural variation is reflective of how the two sides of the Autonomic Nervous System are working together.
- We have found that the greater the change from one beat to the next (variability), the healthier the heart functions and the greater the level of health and well-being for the individual.
- Below are factors that influence HRV:
Stress
Breathing
Physical exercise
Emotions and thoughts
Age
- We can’t do anything about age, but we can impact the rest of these factors.
Emotions-
- Emotions and thoughts play a big role in heart health.
- There are now well-documented, controlled studies that prove this to be true.
- Feelings of anger and frustration have a negative impact on heart health.
- Feelings of gratitude, love, joy and compassion all have positive effects on the heart.
Heart Math-
- The Heart Math Institute has been on the forefront in researching heart health, stress, and emotions.
- By using Heart Math (biofeedback) tools you can see what your HRV is, and then learn ways to improve it. The tools teach you to improve your health and well-being by changing your HRV and monitoring those changes.
- You may want to check out Heart Math tools for yourself. Just click on the store icon, above and you will be led to Heart Math’s products.
- By the way,it’s a great Valentine gift!
I really am proud to be affiliated with Heart Math. It’s such an outstanding organization.
Happy Heart Health & Happy Valentine’s Day!
Take care,
Kate
