Mind and heart are as intricately linked as are thoughts and feelings.

It is about time the 1 in 5 cardiac patients who go on to develop mental illnesses get the psychological help and emotional support they need.

Mental health care must be part of successful cardiac care outcomes

Patient rights are human rights. We must advocate for cardiac patients’ right to peace of mind.

Until we have the courage to push our boundaries and embrace “the different “ we will never grow to have the change we fervently advocate for in the world. The mind’s health is a fundamental part of physical well-being.

The impact of stress on the heart is yet another reason for governments to address the social determinants of health. Disadvantaged communities are more adversely affected by heart disease than those with safe environments and access to health services.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others - M. Angelou.

The adverse effects of COVID 19 on cardiac patients include the threat to their mental health which in turn affects their physical prognosis.

In COVID times and having to practice social distancing, let’s not forget that social isolation/disconnection is an independent risk factor for heart disease

Stress can cause mental health problems like depression and depression can cause physical health problems like heart disease. Learning to manage stress can potentially prevent depression induced heart disease.

A cardiac event is an emotional experience not just a physiological one..

Mental health patients suffering with heart disease ought to be prioritised for a COVID vaccine. Sadly, they tend to die 20 years earlier, on average, from preventable diseases plus poor self care means a need to focus on this group.

The risk of heart attack peaks at around 10pm on Christmas Eve, particularly for older and sicker people, most likely due to heightened emotional stress, finds a Swedish study in this week’s Christmas issue of The BMJ.

Amazing light show! Stay strong. Wishing you a Happy Christmas, Chris. 🌟

We were just beginning to see the rewards of investing in an inclusive culture across the health and medical research ecosystem. This year has hit our sector hard and those underrepresented and in vulnerable roles have been hit the hardest. Lets not go backwards #TheFWEffect

New study (Salinas et al 2022) highlights the link between loneliness and dementia. Social isolation is also an independent risk for heart disease, including hypertension via an increase in inflammation. Stress affects the lonely more severely.