Montauk Pioneer - February 13, 2009

According to the World Health Organization, 17 million people die from heart disease each year. Unhealthy diets, smoking and lack of physical activity are the main risk factors. Heart disease does not just affect men. Heart disease - not cancer - is the number one killer of women, who are more likely to die from the disease than men. This is because women experience different symptoms than men. In general, men tend to experience chest tightness and pressure, increased sweating and difficulty breathing - typical signs of a heart attack. Women can experience pain in the shoulders or back, nausea and feelings similar to heart burn. Given this, women may not seek help as they do not relate these symptoms with a heart attack, and health care providers may not diagnose or treat women for heart disease soon enough.

Stress and Heart Disease

Managing stress is an important component in preventing many diseases. Stress has been linked to many chronic conditions including heart disease. Stress is a physiological reaction that occurs whenever the brain determines there is a threat to your wellbeing. This threat can be an actual event, such as a car accident, or it can be from worrying about your job, finances or, ironically, health. During an actual event, the stress response is reversed once the threat has ended. In the case of constant worry, it never completely turns off. The stress response creates changes within the body to help you cope. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase to provide extra blood and oxygen to the body. The activity of the immune and digestive systems are reduced to conserve energy. Given this, long term exposure to stress can have detrimental effects on the body. Since the stress response increases your heart rate and blood pressure, your heart must work extra hard. Also, you are more prone to blood clots when under stress. If you do not take time to help calm your body and mind, your heart rate and blood pressure are constantly elevated. This places strain on the heart and can lead to chronic disease.

How Yoga and Relaxation Techniques Can Help?

A regular yoga and relaxation practice can help. Taking time to calm the body and mind gives the nervous system and your heart a rest. This helps to counteract the negative effects of stress. Studies have shown that patients with heart disease who practiced yoga and relaxation, were 30% less likely to die from the condition. When you attend a yoga class you will often find a dimly lit room, soft music and a calming atmosphere. Yoga teaches you to breathe deeply and focus your attention. This shifts the mind away from worrisome thoughts and can help to calm your nervous system. This in turn, sends a signal to the body that you are calm. As your brain receives these signals, the actions of the stress response are reversed. Your heart and breathing rate slow, your blood pressure decreases, and your immune and digestive systems are restored to normal activity. Also, the gentle stretching techniques in yoga can relieve tight and tense muscles. Yoga teaches you to fully relax.

There are over 100 forms of yoga and teachers approaches vary greatly. Try several classes to find the right fit. Always start slowly and listen to your body to determine what is right for you. When it comes to heart disease, your health is truly in your hands. With the right information, you have the power to both prevent and manage this condition.