BOSTON – Research shows that physical and mental health, especially heart health, are closely linked.
There is no doubt that our mental health can impact our physical health. Anxiety and depression can lead to sleep deprivation, restlessness, hopelessness, inactivity, drug use, and poor eating habits, which can lead to chronic health conditions or worsen existing health conditions. There is a gender.
But do treatments for mental health conditions actually make a difference? Recent research shows that American Heart Association JournalResearchers at The Ohio State University looked at more than 1,500 subjects with known heart disease and found that subjects taking medication or psychotherapy for anxiety or depression were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital or to the emergency room. They found that they were significantly less likely to have to visit an outpatient clinic. This study and others point to the importance of treating mental illness as a way to improve overall health.
