Mental Health and Heart Disease

This article discusses the connection between mental health and heart disease. While previously thought to be strictly behavioral, recent research shows that there may also be a physiological connection. Hormones that are triggered with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can impact heart health, and having heart disease or other heart conditions can impact mental health.

Having mental health issues isn’t just about being unhappy; it’s having biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health issues, including heart problems. So the head-heart connection should be an important consideration in patient care.

SOURCE: American Heart Association • LAST UPDATED: November 9, 2023