The brain seems to provide an interesting link between the heart and stress factors. Consequently, studies have shown that individuals with more activity in the stress related part of the brain over time were typically found to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and chest pains in the long run. Additionally, stress levels should to be considered seriously. All in all, ways to relieve stress such as meditation and talk therapy should be applied in many circumstances as well.
Key Takeaways:
- People who had more activity in the amygdala, the area of the brain that governs fear, stress and emotion, were also more likely to suffer from heart disease in the future–heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain). Activity in the amygdala was also linked to more activity in the bone marrow tissue that gives rise to blood cells, and to inflammation in the arteries.
- Their brains were also scanned, and activity in the amygdala measured, along with inflammation of the arteries. Here, too, there were clear links between perceived stress in the present, and both activity in the amygdala and inflammation.
- Stress reduction exercises have been shown to reduce both the size and activity of the amygdala, while having beneficial impacts on other neural tissues.
“The findings from this study were fascinating: People who had more activity in the amygdala, the area of the brain that governs fear, stress and emotion, were also more likely to suffer from heart disease in the future–heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain).”
