Heart Attack Mind-body connection Emotions

A cardiac event such as a heart attack is a major traumatic event in one’s life. Heart attack in many cases results in a range of emotions a person feels. In some cases the “cardiac spouse” may experience similar feelings too. All of a sudden a person is faced with their mortality and vulnerabilities, and it can be very scary. The range of emotions may span from anger, anxiety to depression. In some cases, it may range from denial (no big deal everything’s fine, it was caught in time) to, not wanting to live. Each person may react differently. However, it is a fairly common experience. Although some people do not want to talk about it for fear of coming across weak. Or for other is it a way of trying to stay strong for their families. This denial is especially true of men.
Again, the time at which a person experiences these feeling may vary. Some may feel it day or weeks after their heart attack. While other may experience it months later.
According to Dr. Arathi Rao, cardiac psychologies that have helped numerous heart patient rapidly recover and live productive lives explain: “After a heart attack a person typically goes through 5 emotional stage. The true physical and emotional healing only occurs when one has dealt with the first four stages and reached stage 5.” She goes on to say: “I have seen heart patients make miraculous transformations and reclaim their lives once they have discovered how to navigate through these five stages.”
Interestingly enough, the connection between the heart and emotions has been expressed my humans for centuries. It is only now that biologist and neuroscientist are validating this connection, i.e., Heart Attack Mind-body connection.

There exist a strong mind-body connection in heart disease. New findings show that depression & anxiety can be a risk factor for heart disease.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

 

5-Emotional Stages after a Heart Attack

Stress or Depression risk for heart disease

Stress or Depression may play a role in causing CHD. Stress can trigger your arteries to narrow and can raise your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack.
Getting upset or angry also can trigger a heart attack. Stress also may indirectly raise your risk for CHD if it makes you more likely to smoke or overeat foods high in fat and sugar.
People who are depressed are two to three times more likely to develop CHD than people who are not. Depression is twice as common in women as in men. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/atrisk

 

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