Having love in your life can benefit your heart health. According to Christopher Suhar, MD, a cardiologist at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, one theory on why love is good for your health is that blood pressure responds to calmness and peace. The National Library of Medicine supports this, showing love lowers stress and boosts heart recovery, especially after surgery.
What Are the Health Benefits of Love?
“My days were a blur of deadlines and arguments, leaving me exhausted and unwell. Then Jamal entered my life, and suddenly, my heart felt lighter, Grace said after years of stress from a demanding job and a rocky relationship
Love makes us feel good and has healing potential. It’s particularly beneficial for your heart.
Research suggests love may aid recovery if heart issues arise. Studies indicate that married individuals are more likely to survive and recover better than those who are unmarried.
“Men tend to gain more cardiovascular benefit from marriage than women do, but on a whole, marriage helps you live longer,” notes Dr. Suhar. “It could be from having love in your life, or simply having someone there who has a vested interest in you and is taking care of you. Either way, married people recover better from a heart-related procedure than those who are single.”
How Love’s Healing Touch Can Benefit Your Heart
“With Jamal, I found joy in simple moments—walks by the beach, shared laughter. My sleep improved, and the chest pains faded.,“ Grace added.
Scripps Health notes that love, even from friends or family, promotes heart health by reducing stress hormones. The National Library of Medicine adds that married individuals often live longer, hinting at love’s protective power.
Romantic love isn’t the only type that supports heart health. Close, loving bonds with friends and family offer cardiovascular advantages. Researchers have explored how support from loved ones impacts recovery after cardiac bypass surgery, finding that patients with strong social support experience better outcomes and survival rates over time.
“Many surgeons counsel their patients about the importance of support after surgery,” adds Dr. Suhar. “This support includes not only spouses, but close friends and family.”
Surrounding yourself with loving people can encourage adherence to medical advice and active participation in your care, enhancing recovery. Even pets provide heart-healthy benefits. General research supports that having a pet at home leads to numerous mental and physical health benefits. Research highlights that positive emotions, in general, promote health.
Take Action for Your Heart Today
Don’t underestimate love’s impact—seek it in relationships or self-care. Start with a walk or a call to a loved one. Your heart will thank you. Take our free heart test and explore more at EyoleHeartNurture.com and step into a healthier future.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Does Love Affect Heart Health?
Love reduces stress and lowers blood pressure, supporting heart health, as noted by Scripps Health. - Is There Any Connection Between Love and the Heart?
Yes, love triggers calmness that lowers blood pressure and aids recovery, per the National Library of Medicine. - What Happens to Your Heart When in Love?
It may beat faster initially, but over time, love brings peace, reducing strain, says Scripps Health. - How to Make Your Heart Stronger?
Combine love’s stress relief with exercise like walking, recommended by Scripps Health. - Does Being in Love Improve Health?
Yes, it lowers stress hormones and boosts recovery, supported by National Library of Medicine research. - Does Being in Love Make Your Heart Beat Faster?
Initially, yes, due to excitement, but it stabilizes with lasting love, per Scripps Health. - Does Love Actually Affect the Heart?
Absolutely, love reduces cardiovascular risk through calmness, as per Scripps Health insights. - What Are the Benefits of Love?
Benefits of love include lower blood pressure, better sleep, and longer life are among the benefits, notes the National Library of Medicine. - What Are the Signs of Poor Heart Health?
Some key signs of poor heart health are chest pain, fatigue, and high blood pressure are key signs, warns Scripps Health. - Can Love Heal Physical Pain?
Yes, love’s oxytocin can ease pain, supported by studies cited by the National Library of Medicine.