And dying of a broken heart is real.
As a hospital doctor, I saw two cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as Broken Heart Syndrome.
It occurs after a significant stressor, either physical or emotional, and changes the structure of the heart. Both of my patients had been bereaved.
Emotions affect the body and can manifest as physical symptoms that directly influence the heart. But grief, stress, anger, jealousy, shame, and fear have a very different effect on your heart than joy, contentment, and happiness.
When you experience excessive pressure, stress or anger, regardless of what the stress is, the brain perceives it as a harmful event, attack, or threat to survival, activating the fight or flight response. Blood pressure increases, heart rate quickens, and blood vessels constrict.
While the fight or flight response is designed to protect us from harm, it can be detrimental if elicited too frequently. The stress hormones that are released in large quantities in this state, contribute to cardiovascular disease and a state of “heart incoherence”. Heart coherence is a state in which all our systems — physical, mental, and emotional — are working in harmony. It allows us to feel peaceful, spacious, and calm. And research has shown that when we are in coherence, it transmits to others also!
Joy and happiness elicit heart coherence.
Research shows,
positive emotions are associated with better cardiovascular health across several decades and are indeed protective against coronary artery disease
There are many techniques to enhance heart coherence:
Meditation
Studies show that those who practice meditation regularly can reduce blood pressure and heart rate and increase well-being by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and attaining a state of relaxation. Try sitting quietly for three minutes.
Other techniques include breathing exercises, visualisation, Tai Chi, and being in nature.
Finally, find joy in the small things: the autumn colours, the person who holds the door for you, savouring a hot cup of tea, receiving and giving a compliment. There are countless opportunities every day to nourish your heart.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Dr. Maria
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32348855