Do you ever worry about your health and whether or not you’re taking care of yourself? Maybe you have a fear of getting old, or an aversion to thinking about your future. Maybe the idea of geriatric facilities, nursing homes, and hospital stays gives you the heebie-jeebies. To put it simply: if you’re prone to anxiety, chances are your heart health is probably taking a back seat in your mind too. But if you can rein in those anxious thoughts and cultivate more positive emotions, your cardioprotective behaviors and habits may eventually follow suit. Keep reading to learn more about how anxiety can impact your heart health…
Anxiety and Heart Disease
Anxiety can lead to a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. Current research shows that the prevalence of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is on the rise. The connection between anxiety and heart disease is especially obvious in people who are genetically predisposed to heart disease. Anxiety can actually make heart disease worse in these people, likely because it increases blood pressure and cholesterol levels. People with anxiety may also be more likely to smoke cigarettes or abuse other substances that increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. The good news: anxiety can also be a sign that you’re taking better care of your heart health. Anxiety can be a warning that you’re spending too much time worrying rather than moving forward and taking care of yourself. Anxiety can prompt you to do things that are good for your heart and your overall health, like stopping smoking, getting more sleep, or practicing stress-reduction techniques.
The Connection Between Anxiety and Heart Disease
One of the ways anxiety can impact your heart health is by elevating your blood pressure. High blood pressure (also called “hypertension”) is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. People with anxiety are more likely to experience high blood pressure than people who are not anxious – so it’s worth being mindful of how you spend your time and energy. High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise. But one way anxiety can contribute to high blood pressure is by making you feel out of control. When you’re anxious about a number of things in your life, you may feel like you have no control over your blood pressure levels. This feeling of helplessness can lead to even higher blood pressure.
How Anxiety Affects Heart Health
You may have heard that anxiety is “bad for your heart” or “can lead to a heart attack.” But does anxiety really cause heart problems? And does it improve your heart health too? It’s complicated. In general, there is some evidence that shows that people with anxiety have increased risks of heart disease. But when you look at the research from a more nuanced perspective, you can see that a lot of these studies were not designed well. A well-designed study looks at how people with and without anxiety feel and function before and after treatment. A poorly designed study, however, could easily lead you to assume that anxiety causes heart disease.
8 Ways to Reduce Anxiety for Cardioprotective Behaviors
Try to get more sleep – Getting less than the recommended amount of sleep is related to anxiety and a number of health issues. So make sure you’re getting the sleep you need to feel your best! – Getting less than the recommended amount of sleep is related to anxiety and a number of health issues. So make sure you’re getting the sleep you need to feel your best! Avoid smoking – Smoking is a major risk factor for elevated blood pressure and heart disease. If you have anxiety, you’re more likely to smoke and have an even higher risk of heart disease. – Smoking is a major risk factor for elevated blood pressure and heart disease. If you have anxiety, you’re more likely to smoke and have an even higher risk of heart disease. Exercise – Exercise is proven to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of self-esteem. And it’s one of the best things you can do for your heart. – Exercise is proven to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of self-esteem. And it’s one of the best things you can do for your heart. Practice self-compassion – Adopting a self-compassionate attitude towards yourself will help you feel less anxious and adopt a more positive perspective. – Adopting a self-compassionate attitude towards yourself will help you feel less anxious and adopt a more positive perspective. Seek help if you need it – If you’re struggling with anxiety and heart disease, talk to your doctor or therapist about your anxiety and how it might be impacting your health.
Conclusion
Anxiety can be a real challenge, especially if you have a more severe case. But it’s also important to remember that anxiety is often a sign that you need to make some changes in your life. And one of the best things you can do for your heart is to get more sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and practice self-compassion. If you can rein in your anxious thoughts, you can focus on cultivating more positive emotions and taking care of your heart. This will help you feel more in control and healthier as a person.