Emotions clearly influence our health, but the mechanisms have been elusive. Research shows how stress activates a specialized area in the brain, unleashing an inflammatory response—sometimes with fatal consequences.
Fascinating research examined brain scans and zeroed in on a brain center well known to be activated by stress, the amygdala. The study also imaged metabolic activity in the bone, where inflammatory cells are produced. Finally, the scans directly imaged inflammation within the blood vessels.
This comprehensive imaging revealed a great deal about the nature of the mind/body connection. Body scans showed that activation of the brain’s stress center was also associated with increased activity in the bone marrow, where inflammatory cells are made. In turn, high levels of brain and bone uptake were associated with signs of inflammation in the blood vessels.
Stress, Inflammation, and Cardiac Emergencies
No surprise that, for those with the highest vs. lowest brain scan activity in the amygdala, there was a seven-fold increase in the risk of a serious heart problem. And that’s after accounting for the other conditions known to cause heart attacks.
The mind/body circuit is now complete: stress activates brain activity in the amygdala, bone marrow churns out more inflammatory cells, blood vessels become inflamed…and, voila, a heart attack.
In fact, those with the highest-intensity activity in the stress-battered amygdala had an alarming 1 out of 3 chance of having a cardiac emergency over a 5 year period.
That sounds about right. Based on my 25 years as a preventive cardiologist, I have seen highly stressed people who, despite good control of other risk factors, suffered repeated cardiac complications.
The Good News About Inflammation
The good news is that inflammation, and the many problems associated with it, can be effectively quenched—through brain power focused with meditation.
A key study showed that mindfulness meditation was linked to favorable brain MRI changes, as well as significantly lower levels of the inflammatory chemical IL-6 in the bloodstream.
That might explain another finding—perhaps the most significant of all. A daily meditation practice, added to conventional medical therapy, has been shown to reduce the risk of a cardiac emergency by 48%.
Few drugs are that powerful!
Might just well be the answer for another recent finding: heart attack patients today are, on average, younger than ever. While cholesterol levels continue to fall in the U.S., stress levels appear to be going in the opposite direction.
A New Prescription for Cardiac Health?
If a new drug was as effective as meditation, capable of cutting cardiac emergencies by 48%, it would certainly be a blockbuster.
Don’t forget that the most powerful anti-inflammatory therapy you have rests between your shoulders. Be certain to take full advantage!
References:
Stress Activates Brain Center to Trigger Inflammation and Heart Attacks
Meditation Reduces Inflammation
Meditation Cuts Heart Attacks by 48%
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