A Must-Read for ALL Heart Patients

[KimC]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9467735/site/newsweek/

If you didn't pick-up a copy of last week's Newsweek, then please see the link above! It shows how important our emotional health is. The heart is an amazing organ, eh?

Warm regards,

 

[Ross]

Laugh and call me nuts all you want, but I'm telling you, the heart is the gateway to the soul.

Oh no, according to that article, I'm going to die.

 

[Mary]

Laugh and call me nuts all you want, but I'm telling you, the heart is the gateway to the soul.

Oh no, according to that article, I'm going to die.

I hate to tell you buddy, but we're all going to die. We just need you to chill out so it's later rather than sooner.

 

[RCB]

Old idea-new data

Old idea-new data

I don't see anything new in this. It has long been known that it is not the stress that kills, but how people react to it. Some do- some don't. It is how the mind perceives the event. It is a refinement of the "Fight or Flight" syndrome. If the mind perceives a threat, it triggers numerous chemical responces to prepare the body to react. While these reaction serve to save our live in dangerous situation, this "supercharging effect" can be harmful to the body if it goes on to long. It is kind of like leaving in engine at full throttle
for a quick get away- but you would blow up the engine if you were at full throttle all the time. That is why governors were invented, it is why we need to take it easy and relax every now and then.

 

[Ross]

I hate to tell you buddy, but we're all going to die. We just need you to chill out so it's later rather than sooner.

Oh yeah, well the world went let me, so I'm in trouble.

 

[Christina L]

I think this is all "new"

I think this is all "new"

to western medicine - and most western doctors still don't put much emphasis on the stress/sadness aspect of heart care.

I know when I found out that my valve needed repaired or replaced, I asked my cardiologist if the extreme sadness over the preceding three years (regarding my mother's death from breast cancer) had caused the sudden decline in my valve. He just looked at me - clueless - and then went on to another subject. He couldn't comprehend what I was even saying, I don't think.

I have noticed, it seems, that a lot of people on VR.com tell of a stressful event in their life such as a death, divorce, etc. that happened in the few years preceding their valve surgery.

I have heard that 80% (?) of all illnesses are caused by stress - cancers, heart, etc. I believe that.

Thanks for posting this article, Kim. It was very interesting and a good reminder to all of us to STOP and smell the roses.

Christina L.

 

[Marguerite53]

Thanks, Kim

Thanks, Kim

I enjoyed reading that. I think optimism is a key ingredent for successful living and probably affects all of our organs! I like what they said about laughter, too. Isn't it curious that comedy clubs and sitcoms are so popular -- we're all trying desperately to relieve our day to day stress. I would like to add that I think open-mindedness should be on the list as well, although I have no particular anecdote to substantiate that. I just think it should be!

Thanks Marguerite

 

[Phyllis]

I think this article really rings true. My father-in-law who is 101 and still living on his own is the most stress-free, calm individual I know. He has had his share of stressful situations,(loss his wife, his daughter and saw his son have open heart surgery), but he takes everything in stride and with a cheerful outlook. When Dick was at Brigham, I read an article in the waiting room about a study they are doing on people who live to 100 or longer and this attitude is common among them all. So, I guess, we should all "chill out".

 

[hensylee]

I giggle a lot....... makes life much easier.

 

[RonP]

Stress

Stress

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9467735/site/newsweek/

If you didn't pick-up a copy of last week's Newsweek, then please see the link above! It shows how important our emotional health is. The heart is an amazing organ, eh?

Warm regards,

I think there is a lot to be said about stress and the effects it has on our lives and our health. If we can't handle it, our health does deteriorate and our lives are affected, more so if we have medical problems. We should live and learn from this.

Ron

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thanks Kim....

Thanks Kim....

This certainly has shed some light on things for me...I now know that if I even start to feel stressed, my ole ticker starts to let me know that somethings not right....I have noticed that when I get angry or stressed (such as at my part time job) I start to have chest pain and pressure, and sometimes end up having to take a shot of my nitro. Thank You for posting this. Harrybaby

 

[Marge]

Just a thought here -- "Emotional health" is important, but I have problems with the many books & articles (mostly, I'm afraid, pop-science) that appear every other day, just about, & seem to want to ascribe almost every disease/physical problem to something related to the patient's mental/emotional state.

So, if you get cancer, heart disease -- or WHATEVER -- it's because you were not sufficiently optimistic, or you let yourself get too stressed ... or something to do with YOU. To me it always sounds suspiciously like "Blame the victim." If you only had a different temperament, or had done things differently, you wouln't have gotten sick.

Of course, it's reassuring to others around you -- they think: it won't happen to "me" -- "I cope better. I eat better. I don't smoke. I exercise. I don't let myself get stressed. It's those others who don't live my good healthy lifestyle and have my even temperament that get sick. NOT ME!"

Too easy, I think.

 

[tantekay]

I do believe that no matter how positive you are -- unfortunately you sometimes still just get sick with whatever you get mild or very serious. However, being positive can make all the difference when dealing with a bad situation. When we found out that our son was very sick and was looking at at least 3 open heart surgeries over the first 3 years of his life, my husband and I made a pact. "Never sit holding our son and just crying while you hold him -- he's only to see us being positive!!!" At 4 weeks old he had his first surgery and I believe he did so well and continues to do well because we treat his illness and do what he needs, but we don't treat him as a sick child. He's has his second surgery at 5 mos. and we are now waiting on the third surgery -- but no matter what is going on -- he's always smiling, happy and playing -- except for when the terrible 2's take over and that horrible "no" word is used. So to everyone out there dealing with heart troubles, you control it -- don't let it control you. Smiles and hugs to everyone!!

 

[dmoses1]

Stress

Stress

I'm new, so first I should say . . . HELLO.

That's why sometimes people don't know if they are having symptoms as a result of heart problems or anxiety.

I'm convinced the two are linked.

I believe that stress manifests itself physically, through the weakest point(s) in our bodies.