Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental Health Disorders and Heart Diseases

Most people believe heart conditions are solely linked with physical activities, but this is not completely true. Though a lack of exercise and poor diet increases the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems, our thoughts, emotions, and attitudes also accelerate the onset of heart conditions. 

Research shows the chemical and biological factors that contribute to mental health issues also influence heart disease. Mental health disorders, either short- or long-term, trigger a person’s behavior, mood, or thinking ability, which could lead to anxiety, depression, and stress on the body, including the heart. 

The connection between mental health disorders and heart disease

People experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) over a long period may also experience physiologic effects on the body - including the reduced flow of blood to the heart, increased levels of cortisol, and cardiac reactivity, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate. These physiologic effects may further cause metabolic and heart disease. 

Research also shows certain mental health disorders - such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression - may develop after a cardiac event, such as heart attack and stroke. An acute heart disease event may trigger a fear of death or disability or cause financial problems, which further contributes to these mental health disorders. 

Certain mental health disorders, such as stress and anxiety, may increase the chances of adopting unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking, and failing to take prescribed medications. People use these unhealthy coping strategies to deal with stressful situations, which increase the risk of developing heart disease. 

What should you do?

Get in touch with your healthcare provider to discuss how you are feeling, both physically and mentally. Someone who is clinically depressed needs follow-up care, therefore, adopt healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle. Besides, monitor yourself using a Holter monitor system, especially if you are dealing with heart disease or stroke. 

5 Ways To Celebrate Family Health And Fitness Day In 2020

On the second Saturday in June each year, Americans come together to celebrate the Family Health and Fitness Day. The day encourages family involvement in physical activities and promotes the importance of parks and recreation to keep communities healthy. 

On this day, families are encouraged to partake in physical activities organized at local parks and recreation centers. However, 2020 is a bit different — all thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced everyone to stay home and practice social distancing. This means that families will have to celebrate this year’s Family Health and Fitness Day differently. 

Here are a few ways to celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day in 2020:

Exercise at home

Since gymnasiums and fitness centers are closed all over the world, people are exercising at home during COVID-19. Similarly, you can get your family members together and involve in physical activities, such as dancing, swimming, or as simple as exercising. You can also build an obstacle course in your backyard and ask every member, if possible, to participate. Spread this idea in your neighborhood to make sure everyone celebrates the day. 

Take a walk in your local park or neighborhood

Considering local parks are open with some restrictions, you can take a walk in your local park while following preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus — maintaining distance from one another, wearing a mask, and sanitizing your hands once you are back home. It’s also a good idea to pick a time when the crowd in the park is negligible. However, if you have enough open space in your backyard or terrace, you may want to stroll there. Spread this idea to your friends and neighbors to keep the community healthy. 

Promote healthy eating habits

Healthy eating habits are vital to staying healthy all around the year. On June 13 this year, encourage every family member to make healthy food choices and avoid junk and processed food whenever possible. 

Meditate at home

Meditation has many benefits for an average healthy person — reduces stress, controls anxiety, promotes emotional health, and whatnot. To celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day, you can ask your family to meditate for a few minutes and continue it for as long as they can. 

Stay heart healthy

Last but not least, keeping your heart healthy is key to living a high quality of life. Educate your family about the factors that lead to heart disease — high cholesterol levels, inactivity, smoking, etc. — and how they can track heart health using a portable Holter System. 

Final note

This year’s Family Health and Fitness Day is going to be different for a lot of families because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean you can’t encourage your family to stay healthy and happy forever. 

If you are looking for a Holter System to monitor your family’s heart health, Nasiff CardioCard^® PC Based Holter Monitoring ECG System is something worth considering.