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How does anxiety affect our hearts?

Amman Today

publish date 2021-07-27 13:32:05

Jordan News

Anxiety and stress are woven into our genes as a way of survival, by nature. Behavioral scientist James Clear wrote, “For thousands of years stress and anxiety have been beneficial emotions because they have helped us take action in the face of immediate problems. For example, a lion appears across the plain > you feel nervous > you run away > your stress is released… But the human mind has not evolved with the development of life.”

Claire points out that the mismatch between our old brain and our new environment has a huge impact on how much stress and chronic anxiety we feel today. Medical experts say that chronic anxiety harms the heart, brain, and overall health. This topic is discussed in greater depth in his book “Atomic Habits”.

Compared to the age of the brain, modern society is incredibly new. It’s only recently that our society – in the past five hundred years or so – has shifted to a mostly delayed-return environment. The pace of change has increased significantly compared to prehistoric times. It is clear that our brain has not adapted to these times. This shows up on our general health.

The effect of anxiety on the heart:
Dr. Ona de McCann, director of the Anxiety Disorders Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, believes the link between anxiety and the development of heart disease is strong. “My view and my personal clinical experience is that anxiety disorders can play a major role in heart disease,” McCann says. “I think a really careful look at anxiety will reveal the ways in which heart disease can be severely affected, both as a contributing factor and as an obstacle to recovery.”

According to a report on the Johns Hopkins website, when someone is anxious, their body reacts in ways that can put extra stress on their heart. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be particularly harmful among individuals with existing heart conditions.

He cites the following effects of anxiety on heart health:

Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) – messes with normal heart function and increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
High blood pressure – weakens the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure.
Decreased heart rate variability – may lead to higher mortality after acute heart attack
Women are twice as likely to develop panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (PTSD), social phobia, and anxiety disorders than men when taken as a whole. A cardiologist will treat heart symptoms. But anxiety disorder also needs specialized treatment.

Anxiety treatment:
Depending on the duration, severity, and type of anxiety, treatment may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) includes three main components: anxiety management, cognitive restructuring, and exposure therapy, and is known to ultimately help the patient effectively manage anxiety.

Yoga and meditation also help build a strong anxiety response. Anxiety can be handled well when one accepts that there is a health issue related to anxiety and turns to a counsellor. This can take one first step on the path to resolution, recovery, and good health. For your heart’s sake, you shouldn’t take worry lightly or scrub it under the rug.

#anxiety #affect #hearts

Jordan Miscellaneous news

Source : اخبار الاردن

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