This post was written by Leslie Angel, FNP, DipACLM, Family Medicine, Employer Clinics.
When we think of heart health, we think of eating better, getting exercise, and managing cholesterol and blood pressure. All these things are important, but there is one powerful heart protective habit that often gets missed at wellness appointments: meaningful social connection!
Loneliness activates the body’s stress response. Feeling socially disconnected is seen by the body as a threat and leads to increased cortisol, higher blood pressure, elevated inflammation and increased sympathetic response. Over time, it causes damage to blood vessels and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. Some research finds chronic loneliness carries a higher mortality than smoking!
Strengthen the social connection
A few simple ways to strengthen your heart through social connection include:
- Trying a fitness class or joining a walking group
- Scheduling a coffee date with a friend every week
- Reaching out to an old friend and reconnecting
- Eating dinner at the table as a family
- Volunteering
- Calling people instead of texting
If you are working on improving cardiovascular health, don’t overlook the quiet power of connection. Your heart responds to connection just as it does other lifestyle pillars such as nutrition and physical activity. Your heart isn’t meant to function in isolation. Not all prescriptions to improve health come from a pharmacy. Some are found in our communities.
