A Positive Mindset Can Help Your Heart

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Can being positive protect against heart disease? Yes! There is a lot of evidence suggesting that having a positive outlook — like being optimistic, cheerful, having gratitude and purpose in life — can be heart-protective. Researchers in the UK looked at psychological characteristics of over 8,000 people, and found that those who scored high on optimism and a sense of well-being enjoyed a 30% lower risk of developing heart disease. Other studies report similar findings: in a study of over 70,000 women followed for over 10 years, those who scored highest on an optimism questionnaire had a significantly lower risk of death from heart attacks (38%) and strokes (39%).

A positive outlook may even be benefit people who already have cardiovascular disease, which is significant, because they are at very high risk of having heart attacks and strokes. In the US Health and Retirement study, in participants with known stable heart disease, positive psychological traits were associated with significantly lower risks of having a heart attack, and these traits included optimism (38% lower risk), positive outlook (32%), and having a purpose in life (27%). In three separate studies involving hundreds of patients with severe disease requiring either coronary bypass graft surgery or stenting, a higher level of optimism was significantly associated with a lower risk of post-procedure hospitalizations.

How does thinking positively affect your heart?

Many studies show that people prone to negative emotions have a higher risk of heart disease. Negative emotions are associated with the release of stress hormones and a physical stress response, resulting in a higher heart rate and blood pressure. Scientists hypothesize that positive people who have a “glass half-full” approach to life are less likely to experience this stress response. Basically, those who tend to look for the bright side of negative situations can avoid the damage that stress inflicts on the cardiovascular system. Another hypothesis is that people with a positive outlook are more likely to use healthy coping strategies like problem-solving to overcome obstacles and manage stressors, whereas people with a negative outlook tend toward unhealthy coping strategies like self-medicating with food and other substances.

Keeping a gratitude journal can help

Researchers have also studied gratitude in patients with heart failure. Those who kept a daily gratitude journal, where they listed three or four things for which they were thankful every day for two months, had lower levels of inflammatory hormones and a lower heart rate during a stressful exercise. This suggests that the simple daily habit of expressing gratitude can have big long-term health effects.

 Are you an optimistic person?

Some people are naturally more inclined to have a positive outlook and look for the silver lining, while others tend to view things in a more negative light. But optimism is as much as skill as a personality trait. You can train your brain to recognize and counteract negative thinking — your heart and health will be better for it.

Source:  Harvard Medical School; Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributing Editor

3 Ways Your Diet Affects Your Heart Health

All too often, we neglect the importance of good nutrition until we’re faced with a diagnosis of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, our team of heart specialists understand that what you eat – or don’t eat – impacts your cardiovascular health. That’s why we offer customized nutrition programs and weight-loss services to get you

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The Link Between Obesity and Heart Problems

Obesity is a chronic problem in the United States, affecting the long-term health of 36.5% of the adult population. This condition can increase your risk for a wide range of chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular disease. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, our team of cardiovascular specialists offer solutions to fight obesity and protect your heart health. Losing even 5% of

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What Is Hypertension and What Can I Do About It?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that can lead to a wide range of long-term health complications. The most troubling part is that you can have hypertension for years without knowing it because symptoms tend to develop only when the damage is done. That’s why our heart specialists at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, offer preventive

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The Link Between High Blood Pressure and Stroke

In the United States, stroke is a leading cause of severe, long-term disability and death among men and women. To reduce your risk for stroke and the high blood pressure that causes it, our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, offers comprehensive preventive screenings and other services on-site. Understanding high blood pressure High blood pressure, also known as hypertension,

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Can Diabetes Be Prevented?

Your lifestyle plays a big part in the development and management of diabetes. While not all types of diabetes are preventable, how you live and what you eat makes a difference. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, our cardiovascular specialists offer comprehensive management services for diabetes. We give you the tools to make the lifestyle and dietary

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Try These Things to Improve Your Nutrition

The definition of nutrition is eating a healthy, balanced diet that supports the function of your body. There are many facets of good nutrition, but understanding some basics can help you make better food choices. At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, our medical specialists offer nutrition services to improve your diet and ensure that what you’re eating benefits

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Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy

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Your immune system defends you against the viruses that cause colds and flu. These eight steps can help support your immune system so it’s ready to fight those viruses.

  1. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
  3. Get enough sleep.
  4. Wash your hands.
  5. Keep up with your vaccinations. Almost everyone who’s at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine every year.
  6. Keep your weight healthy.
  7. Don’t drink too much alcohol.
  8. Don’t smoke.

Get the Nutrients You Need

Food is your best source. Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit, and split the other half between lean protein and grains, as the government’s “MyPlate” guidelines recommend.

Not sure if you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals? Ask your doctor or a nutritionist about that.

Don’t overdo supplements. Taking too much can be bad for you. Your doctor can let you know what you need.

Manage Your Stress

Everyone gets stressed. Short bursts of stress may help your immune system. But lasting stress is a problem. It can hamper your immune system.

You can take action to tame stress. Make these steps part of your stress management plan:

  • Get enough sleep.
  • Learn and use relaxation techniques.
  • Exercise.
  • Take time for yourself.
  • Build your support network of people you can talk to.
  • Consider counseling, especially when you’re going through a very stressful time.

 Source: WebMD Medical Reference

What does a heart murmur mean?

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The sounds your doctor hears using a stethoscope while your heart beats are called heart murmurs.

“Innocent” heart murmurs

Innocent heart murmurs are sounds made by blood circulating through the heart’s chambers and valves, or through blood vessels near the heart. Innocent murmurs are common in children and are harmless. These heart murmurs may also be referred to as “functional” or “physiologic” murmurs.

A high percentage of children are likely to have had an innocent heart murmur at some time. Innocent murmurs may disappear and then reappear. When a child’s heart rate changes, such as during excitement or fear, these innocent murmurs may become louder or softer. This still doesn’t signal that the innocent murmur is cause for concern.

If your doctor hears a heart murmur when listening to your child’s heart, he or she may recommend additional testing to confirm that the murmur is innocent.

Unless testing suggests that further inquiry is warranted, no next steps may be necessary. With an innocent heart murmur, your child won’t need medication, and doesn’t have a heart problem or heart disease. You don’t need to pamper or restrict your child’s diet or activities. Your child can be as active as any other normal, healthy child.

Most innocent murmurs disappear when a child reaches adulthood, but some adults still have them.

Other causes

Other, non-innocent heart murmurs are often caused by defective heart valves. For example, a stenotic heart valve has a smaller-than-normal opening and can’t open completely. Or, a valve may also be unable to close completely. This leads to regurgitation, which is blood leaking backward through the valve when it should be closed.

Certain congenital defects as well as other conditions such as pregnancy, fever, anemia or thyrotoxicosis (a diseased condition resulting from an overactive thyroid gland) can also cause murmurs.

A murmur that occurs when the heart muscle relaxes between beats is called a diastolic murmur. A systolic murmur occurs when the heart muscle contracts.

Systolic murmurs are graded by intensity (loudness) from 1 to 6, with a stethoscope slightly removed from the chest. A grade 1 out of 6 is faint, heard only with a special effort. A grade 6 out of 6 (6/6) is extremely loud, and can be heard with a stethoscope even when slightly removed from the chest.

Source: American Heart Association

If you have questions about your heart health, please call your HeartCare physician.

(203) 407-2500