mental health and cardiovascular health,” Garg said. “Our mental health and our heart health are very intertwined.”
At least 2.7 million Americans live with atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Also known as a-fib, the condition involves a quivering or irregular heartbeat that allows blood to pool and clot in the upper chambers of the heart, which increases stroke risk.
Untreated atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of heart-related deaths and is associated with a five-fold increased risk for stroke, the AHA says.
It’s well understood that stress-inducing emotional states such as fright and anxiety affect heart health, possibly by triggering the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, said Dr. Russell Luepker. He’s a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and was not connected with the study.
A surge of hormones are released during that response, causing short-term alterations to