C A T H E R I N E M O O R E

M A R C C

Mind Health and Cardiac Health

Research Findings to Contemplate

Three ten-year studies concluded that emotional stress was more predictive of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease than smoking: people who were unable to effectively manage their stress had a 40% higher death rate than non-stressed individuals. H. Eyesenck, British Journal of Medical Psychology, 1998, 61(Pt 1)

Research Findings to Contemplate

An international study of 2,829 people between the ages of 55 and 85 found that individuals who reported the highest levels of personal “mastery” - feelings of control over life events - had a nearly 60% lower risk of death compared with those who felt relatively helpless in the face of life’s challenges.

B. Penninx et al. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1997, 146(6).

Research Findings to Consider

In a study of 5,716 middle-aged people, those with the highest self-regulation abilities were over 50 times more likely to be alive and without chronic disease 15 years later, than those with the lowest self- regulation scores.

R. Grossart-Maticek & H. Eysenck, Personality and Individual Differences,

1995, 19(6)

An Intimate Connection Between Mind & Body

These and other studies are part of a growing body of compelling scientific evidence which is demonstrating the link between mental and emotional attitudes, physiological health and long term well-being.

Intertwined Systems

From a systems perspective, the human organism is a vast, multidimensional information network of communicating subsystems, in which mental processes, emotions and physiological systems are inextricably intertwined.

The heart, brain, nervous, hormonal and immune systems are all considered fundamental components of the dynamic, interactive, two-way information network that determines our ongoing emotional experience.

Heart- Brain Communication

The Intelligent Heart

The field of neurocardiology - started by researchers in the separate fields of neurophysiology, cardiology and neuroanatomy working together - informs us that the heart has it’s own intrinsic nervous system and intelligence which has been termed the “heartbrain”.

The “heartbrain” can learn, remember, feel and sense, independently of the cranial brain.

The Hormonal Heart

The heart was re-classified as part of the endocrinal or hormonal system in 1983 when it was realized that the heart produces and releases a variety of unique and shared hormones and neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. These chemical messengers are one way the heart communicates with and alters the functioning of the cranial brain and body.

The Heart is the Rhythmic Centre

The heart is the most powerful generator of rhythmic information patterns in the body – passing complex patterns of neurological, hormonal, pressure and electromagnetic information to the brain and body that affect our perceptions, mental processes, feeling states and performance in profound ways.

The Heart as Electromagnetic Field

The heart is the most powerful generator of electromagnetic energy in the human body, it’s energy field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity of the brain and 5,000 times greater in strength than the field generated by the brain.

New research suggests that the electromagnetic signals generated by the heart have the capacity to affect others around us. One person’s heart signal can affect another’s brainwaves , and heartbrain synchronization can occur between people when they interact.

Information Pathways from Heart to Brain

Emotion, the Heart and the Body

Our current understanding is that perception and emotion are a “composite” of stimuli the brain receives from the external environment AND the internal sensations and feedback transmitted to the brain from the bodily organs and systems.

The heart plays a significant role in collecting and transmitting emotionally relevant information.

Cardiac Specific Research to Consider

Over one half of heart disease cases are not explained by the standard risk factors – such as genetics, high cholesterol, smoking or sedentary lifestyle.

R. Rosenman, Integrative Physiological and Behavioural Science, 1993, 28(1)

Cardiac Specific Research to Contemplate

Separate studies showed that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly increased for people who impulsively vent their anger as well as for those who tend to repress angry feelings. A. Seigman et al.

Journal of Behavioural Medicine. 1998, 21(4). D. Carrol et al. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1998, Sept.

Cardiac Research

According to a Mayo Clinic study of individuals with heart disease, psychological stress was the strongest predictor of future cardiac events such as cardiac death, cardiac arrest and heart attacks.

T. Allison et al, Mayo Clinic Proctor, 1995, 70(8).

More Research to Consider

A recent study of heart attack survivors showed that patients’ emotional state and relationships in the period after myocardial infarction are as important as the disease severity in determining their prognosis. S. Thomas et al, American Journal of Critical Care, 1997, 6(2)

Why Does Emotion Impact Health?

Emotions are experienced or felt as sensations in the body, it is a “bottom up” experience.

The actual number of neurons going from the emotion centres to the cognitive centres is greater than those going the opposite way which explains why emotion is so much more powerful than thought.

The Negative Impact of Emotions on Health

Emotional distress and strong emotions such as anger exacerbate heart disease and can cause severe and fatal heart rhythms. People really can die of fright, or from a broken heart and can worry themselves to death.

Depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health conditions significantly increase your risk for heart disease; and cardiac disease increases your risk for mental illness.

Tend to your emotions, for your heart’s sake.

Solutions from Cardiac Psychology

1. Seek professional help if you are struggling with mental health concerns

2. Manage your emotional and psychological stress

3. Gain feelings of control and mastery

4. Learn self-regulation skills

5. Attend to emotional distress

6. Focus on relationships

7. Respond with coherence, flexibility, & adaptability

8. Cultivate good brain and heart chemicals

“Emotion” Chemicals

Balance Your Chemistry Naturally

Increase Dopamine (Motivation)

How to increase dopamine: the “motivation” drug

meditation

decrease sugar and caffeine intake

keep a routine

get consistent exercise

learn how to decrease stress responses

play

listen to/play music

Increase Oxytocin: Love

How to increase oxytocin: the “love” drug

8 hugs a day positive social interaction eat with others meditate with a focus on others do something new or exciting pet an animal tell those you love how you feel give gifts volunteer share yourself with others

Increase Serotonin: Happiness

How to increase serotonin: the “happy drug”

sunlight / bright light

massage

exercise

diet

laughter

recall happy events

Decrease Stress Hormones

How to decrease stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine:

increase sleep, take naps meditate listen to music drink black tea laugh be around positive people get a massage share human touch do something spiritual connect with nature

Use the Power of Your Mind

Discover and practice your natural mental abilities to calm and heal

Tame your busy mind - 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day

Take advantage of neuroplasticity - learn new habits of thinking, feeling, responding and being

Final Thoughts

In a groundbreaking study of 1,200 people at high risk of poor health, those who learned to alter unhealthy mental and emotional attitudes through self-regulation training were more than four times more likely to be alive 13 years later than an equal-sized control group.

R. Grossarth-Maticek & H. Eyesenck, Behavioural Research & Therapy. 1991, 29(1)