New studies explain reducing stress may improve overall heart health

Approximately 30 percent of all heart attacks are linked to psychosocial factors, such as chronic stressors and emotional problems. This is why a stress management is being developed as a therapy for cognitive behaviors that may reduce the risk of having heart attacks.

The management study used a total 362 of random men and women with heart diseases. The goal of the program was to educate, learn self-monitoring, skill training, cognitive restructuring, and increase the spiritual development of the patients.

After the management program that operated for eight years, there was a 41 percent decrease in deaths and heart-related events.

On the other hand, the group that did not have therapy noticed nearly 50 percent more heart attacks when compared to those who had therapy.

The group that underwent the cognitive therapy only had 23 deaths, 69 cardiovascular events and 41 heart attacks. The group not experiencing therapy noticed 25 deaths, 77 cardiovascular events, and 51 heart attacks.

The cardiovascular system is affected by the increase and decrease of emotional and behavioral reactivity. The decrease may result in a decrease of the burden on the cardiovascular system as well.

While the results were not shocking, experts explain decreasing stress is a great way to improve overall health, regardless of small studies.