Why? Because the heart and head do not operate independently of one another. Decades of research have revealed the strong connection between your mental health and your heart health; a shift in either condition can cause a decline in both. What is more impactful is the negative outcome on heart health is more prevalent in people suffering from depression.

Depression affects a person’s recovery from heart disease and can be a factor in recurring heart problems. The opposite is also true. A person with mental illness is more likely to develop a heart-related condition.

The Cause and Effect of Depression and Heart Health

Depression often produces a feeling of sadness and a lack of desire to partake in activities and social interactions. It may result in a lack of energy and trouble sleeping. People may be apathetic, deal with a lack of motivation, and avoid interacting with friends and family.   All these characteristics may manifest an underlying heart condition or exasperate or slow the recovery of an existing one.  

People that spend more time alone or feel lonely most often have an increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Social interaction is essential. The lack of such interaction increases a person’s stress-reactive hormones (adrenalin and cortisol), which then increase heart rate and blood pressure. Increased stress levels can lead to unhealthy habits or dependency on comfort foods and alcohol.   The result of which creates a downward spiral in heart health.

Sleep is a critical time for the body to heal. Sleep provides time for the body and mind to restore and recharge. For the cardiovascular system, insufficient or fragmented sleep on regular bases can negatively affect blood pressure, diabetes and heart attacks. During the non-rapid eye movement stage of sleep (stage 3 slow wave sleep or deep sleep), your body is entirely at rest. Your eyes and muscles do not move, and your brain waves slow down. During this time, your blood pressure drops and your heartbeat and breathing are at their slowest rate.   During deep sleep, the stress on your cardiovascular is reduced, allowing it to recover from strain during waking hours. Without sufficient amounts of deep sleep, your blood pressure cannot go down, leading to increased hypertension  

The physical connection between the heart and mental health

Did you know? Inactivity causes a 30-50 percent greater risk of developing high blood pressure and can lead to a build up of fatty material in the arteries, leading to reduced oxygen reaching the heart.

The physiological pathways between heart and mental health are intertwined. Still, it is unclear if one causes the other or if the abnormalities result from either the mental disease or heart disease.   People with depression:

Have been shown to have higher levels of “interleukins,” a protein produced by the white blood cells that cause internal inflammation. The unmanaged inflammatory response puts a person at risk for cardiovascular disease. The reverse may also be true, as people with heart disease tend to have an underlying inflammatory condition which worsens depression

May have a dysfunction of their blood vessels whereby they do not relax to allow proper blood flow to reach the heart. Without healthy blood flow, the heart struggles to do its job effectively.

Tend to be more anxious, producing an increased fight or flight response in the endocrine system. The result is increased spikes in blood pressure and heart rate, which over time will stress the heart muscle

The Moral?

Recognize the mental toll heart conditions can cause. Managing good mental health to protect the heart, and proactively attend to how you respond to stress. Well-designed supplements and lifestyle changes can help.

Lifestyle suggestions

• Be kind to yourself. Small steps of progress are highly valuable!
• Engage in social interactions- Don’t try to manage life or disease alone. Reach out to friends, family, support groups etc., with a high incidence of heart disease. Often, someone else feels exactly like you.
• Aim for a heart & brain healthy diet – increase fruit, veggies, fish, and other non-processed foods. People suffering from depression have been found to have very low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids
• Find a physical activity you enjoy increasing movement and energy. A little activity goes a long way. Any physical activity is better than none!
• Avoid large amounts of caffeine. This may cause increased stress and insomnia.
• Reflect or journal your thoughts to help discover any stress triggers. Often helplessness, anger or feeling out of control can increase stress.

Enhance your Well-Being with Evidence-Based Supplements

Natural Factors CurcuminRich Whole Body Optimizer – Natural Factors CurcuminRich Whole Body Optimizer supports cardiovascular and cognitive health and brain function by promoting a balanced inflammatory response. Helps reduce serum triglycerides

Natural Factors SAMe – helps raise serotonin, dopamine and phosphatidylserine levels without the side effects of prescription antidepressants. Clinical research shows the SAMe elevates mood and has a positive effect on behaviour. (NOTE: individuals using prescription antidepressants or who suffer from bipolar disorder should only use this product under the supervision of a health care practitioner)

Smart Solutions Smile 5HTP- Smile 5HTP enhances serotonin, our happy hormone, to help promote a healthy mood balance. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is also responsible for creating feelings of satiety. It also helps promote restful sleep.

Nature’s Way St John’s Wort - St. John’s Wort has been used for centuries, including to promote a positive mood. The Mayo Clinic reports that “Several studies support the therapeutic benefit of St. John's wort in treating mild to moderate depression. In fact, some research has shown the supplement to be as effective as several prescription antidepressants”. (NOTE: individuals using prescription antidepressants should only use this product under the supervision of a health care practitioner)

Healthology SLEEP-GREAT is a complete formulation that helps you fall asleep quickly, stay asleep and achieve deep, restful sleep. It works by enhancing the body’s natural sleep hormone pattern so that you enter all five stages of a healthy sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed every day

Essential Fatty Acids ( Fish Oils) – A high potency fish oil rich in EPA, DHA can benefit high triglycerides. Researchers found reduction in total coronary heart disease events, along with a reduced risk of heart attacks a reduced risk of dying from a heart attack. Their anti-inflammatory actions may help relieve depression.

CoQ10 facilitates energy delivery making it essential for the health of all tissues and organs. Helps support the aging process. Beneficial for individuals experiencing SAMS (musle aches, cramps & weakness) due to the use of statin drugs. CoQ10 beneifts heart failure. Helps restore energy and vitality.