Just like physical health, mental health is an important component of a person’s overall well-being, one that includes emotional, psychological, and social aspects and affects how people feel, think, and act in their daily lives. The state of mental health also determines how the body handles stress, and affects how we as individuals make choices, relate to others, and interact with daily life. As such, it is important to prioritize mental health and to take care of our well-being as much as possible, as not doing so could negatively impact quality of life and generate other health complications, especially related to vascular health.
Mental health problems can affect mood, behavior, and critical thinking on a short-term or long-term basis, and all of which are affected by factors such as life experiences, family history, or stressful situations. While mental health problems are capable of affecting any person at any time, the risk towards vascular health increases through biological pathways connected to the circulatory system.
Essentially, certain mood disorders can cause physiological changes in the long term such as:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Reduced blood flow to the body
- Heightened levels of cortisol
- Drastically change metabolism
- Calcium buildup in arteries
- Obesity and diabetes
- Heart disease or stroke
- Related mental health disorders developing after severe cardiac events
The mental health disorders most closely related to heart disease include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and chronic or excessive stress. Some disorders such as general anxiety and depression can increase substance abuse, which in turn exacerbate heart problems, and people suffering from a mental health disorder may also develop an inactive lifestyle due to having fewer healthy coping strategies for stressful situations.
Mental health awareness is a critical focus of modern life, as we find ways to help cope with our daily lives and improve our lifestyle in every way. As such, the medical team at Soleil Surgical is at the forefront of vascular health, finding new ways to lead a healthier lifestyle and better mental health, with the best vascular and podiatric care we can provide.
You can contact us by calling at (407) 343-4983, or visit our website at www.soleilsurgical.com.