Mental health is emerging as a significant risk factor for heart disease alongside well-known factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Experts now recognize that conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems by up to 50 percent, including early heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances, and sudden cardiac events.

Dr. Varun Bansal from Apollo Hospitals explains that prolonged mental stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which raise heart rate and blood pressure. This hormonal surge can promote inflammation and damage blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of heart disease.

Stress also indirectly harms the heart by disrupting healthy habits. People under chronic stress tend to be physically inactive, consume unhealthy diets, and suffer from poor sleep patterns—all factors that worsen heart health. Furthermore, stress can cause patients to forget or neglect their medications for heart conditions, raising the risk of serious complications.

Depression and anxiety further compound these risks by increasing harmful behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use, while social isolation and loneliness add emotional strain that adversely affects cardiovascular health. People with heart disease are also more vulnerable to depression, which can make recovery harder.

To protect heart health during stressful periods, experts recommend maintaining physical activity, eating nutritious foods rich in iron and vitamins, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and adhering strictly to prescribed medications. A holistic approach addressing both mental and physical health can greatly reduce heart attack risks and improve overall well-being.

Recognizing the intimate link between mental health and heart health is critical on World Heart Day, underscoring the need for integrated care that supports both the mind and the heart for a healthier life.