There are hearts everywhere in February so no better time to think about matters of the heart – both the physical heart and how it can be affected by relationships. And by relationships, I don’t necessarily mean romantic “Relationships” but all relationships — friends, families, communities. It’s really important to your health.
Really? Yes.
Lots of studies have been done that show that social isolation and loneliness are linked with both mental and physical health problems. One statistic to highlight is that loneliness or social isolation can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 50%.[1] Other important studies have shown a link between loneliness and worsening anxiety and type 2 diabetes, and in older persons, increased risk of dementia. Loneliness is as big a risk to your health as smoking cigarettes or overconsumption of alcohol.
Pre-pandemic, I might needed to have explain more what social isolation felt like or how the loss of social connectedness might feel. As we have come through the pandemic, many experienced it for the first time as regular social activities stopped, they were stranded away from family and communities, or cocooned. And, as a whole, we did a great job to do what we could to keep our connectedness up: from window visiting to Zoom family get-togethers to outside garden chats. And it’s important to note for many of our vulnerable, the pandemic is still not over and that this remains important.
Social connectedness improves our mood, reduces anxiety, and gives a sense of purpose. All of this is good for our overall health – and is associated with improved overall health — including a significant risk in cardiovascular disease — as well as the improvement in our mental health. It’s as important part of looking after our health as all those other things we do to stay healthy like physical activity, eating right and getting enough sleep.
So, what can we do? Here are 3 take-aways for #HeartMonth:
1. Make plans and take time to connect: Making time for friends or social activities is just as important as other forms of self-care. Your regular social activities – from sports to garden clubs to bridge groups – might have fallen of the schedule during the pandemic.
Is it time to find a way to work them back in? Consider taking an extra step if one of your connections still has
extra needs. For example, an aunt on immunosuppression treatment or your friend who is a new mother with new baby might not feel comfortable inside a coffee shop just yet. And that’s fine – suggest meeting her for an outdoor walk with a buggy.
2. It’s Valentine’s day and the emphasis on romantic relationships is everywhere. While romantic relationships can be healthy and fulfilling, other relationships are equally important to your health and happiness.
If you aren’t in a romantic relationship and are feeling in anyway upset by Valentine’s Day, you could choose to nurture another relationsihp in your life that day. I’ve seen some schools celebrating a “friendship week” that week instead and I think that is just a fantastic health initiative after a year where too many children – mine included – have missed seeing their friends.
3. Social Prescribing** — Social isolation is real even before the pandemic. What exactly is “social prescribing?” It’s an initiative to help patients make social connections to improve overall mental and physical health. You can talk to your GP, public health nurse, or community health worker who will put you in touch with a link worker (services vary depending on location) who will help you find ways to connect in the community by helping you work through options such as local men’s sheds, garden clubs, GAA… While it’s expanding, it’s not new – social prescribing has been growing in Ireland since 2012! Many organisations, such as alone.ie can also help with social prescribing. The #WalkwithaDoc programme launched last Sunday is a community activity for that reason as well – not just walking with aid of app or logging/posting steps for virtual clicks or like but real, in-person connection and conversation while we talk.
And, because we are talking hearts and Valentine’s Day, I’ll share a bit of my favourite talk to give med students this time of year: A “Broken Heart” is more than just an emoji. “Broken Heart Syndrome” is another name for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It is caused when the heart muscle becomes suddenly stunned by a surge of stress hormones in response to physical stress or emotional stress such as grief or anger. It feels like chest pain or shortness of breath. The good news is that most people recover well within two months. (So, who was that this Takotsuba who discovered this? For once, a condition is not named after a doctor who discovered it! “Takotsubo” is the name of a uniquely shaped octopus trap used by traditional Japanese fisherman, and part of the “broken heart” (left ventricle) temporarily takes on this shape in imaging studies.)
**For more information and more resources on social prescribing, visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/our-priority-programmes/mental-health-and-wellbeing/social-prescribing/
[1] CirculationVolume 143, Issue 10, 9 March 2021; Pages e763-e783
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