If you or a loved one is suffering from heart disease you sure don’t need me to tell you what a struggle it can be to try to get, and stay, healthy.
You already know that heart disease can be a killer.
But now new research has revealed that the disease’s killer instinct can be set to turbo when it’s paired with a surprising, often overlooked, complication.
According to researchers from New Zealand if you have heart disease and are ignoring your mental health, you could be putting yourself on the fast track to an early grave.
Stress and heart disease make a deadly combo
Because believe it or not, no matter whether it’s a ongoing case of serious stress or anxiety… or something more complicated such as depression or a mood disorder… when partnered with heart problems your risk of dying from heart disease skyrockets by four times when it’s not addressed.
And it’s not just the heart disease that you have to look out for, because according to the study published in the journal Heart, you have three times the risk of dying from ANY cause under the sun.1
That’s a real problem since it’s far too common these days for folks to try to “suck it up,” and not admit when they’re stressed or having a hard time.
And while you may think you’re handling everything fine, you can’t lie to your body. Over time untreated mood problems can lead to chronic inflammation putting extra stress on your whole body, including your heart.
If you’re suffering with heart disease it’s time to take an honest look at your life and finally admit to any stress, anxiety or depression that you have been trying to ignore.
Stop ignoring your mental health starting NOW
And if you find you ARE battling mood issues it’s time to address them before they end up killing you. Make an appointment to see a holistic or integrative doctor about creating a personalized plan for tackling them.
The good news is that tackling anxiety and stress doesn’t always require long-term, heavy-duty drugs. In many cases, a natural approach can help you tackle your mood issues, and reduce your risks.
Start on your own by taking some time out every day to decompress. Meditation is a research proven stress reducer. And don’t worry you don’t have to chant or light incense to do it.
Meditation is simply about clearing your mind of outside distractions, and focusing on nothing more than your breathing. There are plenty of free videos online that can help you learn how. Or try a meditation app on your smartphone.
Following are three proven effective stress busters straight from nature’s pharmacy.
1. Chamomile:
Sometimes the simplest approaches are also the best. And it turns out that sipping on a cup of chamomile tea isn’t just soothing, it could literally slash your anxiety levels too.
The chamomile plant contains the bioflavonoids apigenin and luteolin, both of which are natural anxiety fighters. In a study out of the University of Pennsylvania chamomile was able to slash anxiety levels by more than 50 percent in over half of users.2
Two cups of chamomile tea a day, or a supplement, can provide you with plenty of these naturally calming plant chemicals.
2. Magnesium:
The mineral magnesium is practically tailor made for those struggling from the deadly duo of heart and mood issues. Many folks, especially seniors, are already running low on this essential nutrient, which helps keep your heart healthy and heartbeat steady.
But it turn out the mineral helps keep your mood steady too. In a study published in the journal PLoS One, magnesium slashed depression scores by an average of six points, a number that surpasses even some drugs. And anxiety scores were reduced by an average of 4.5 points as well.3
Magnesium glycinate is gentler on your stomach and more easily absorbed than some other forms of the mineral. Talk with your doctor about what dosage is right for you.
3. Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is what’s known as an adaptogenic herb. In this case experts say that means it can encourage your body to adapt to rising and falling stress levels.
In a head-to-head comparison with the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam ashwagandha was found to be just as effective as the drug.4 And other studies have shown the herb effectively tackles stress and anxiety, and reduces cortisol levels.5,6
You’re already putting up an epic battle against heart disease. Don’t let stress or depression be the hidden factor that causes you to lose that fight.
References:
1. “Psychological distress and mortality in stable coronary heart disease: persistence of high distress means increased risk,” Heart, 2017; heartjnl-2017-311610
2. “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) Extract Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder,” J of Clinical Psychopharma.: August 2009 – Volume 29 – Issue 4 – pp 378-382
3. “Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial,” PLoS One. 2017 Jun 27;12(6):e0180067. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180067. eCollection 2017
4. “Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study,” Phytomedicine. 2000 Dec;7(6):463-9
5. “A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults,” Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul-Sep; 34(3): 255–262
6. “An Alternative Treatment for Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Human Trial Results Reported for the Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),” J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Dec 1; 20(12): 901–908
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