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Heart and Brain Linked: Every Beat Influences Cognition and Emotion

Your heart's rhythm affects your brain's function. Understanding this connection could transform how we treat mental and physical health.

In this picture we can see a few heart shaped colorful objects throughout the image.
In this picture we can see a few heart shaped colorful objects throughout the image.

Heart and Brain Linked: Every Beat Influences Cognition and Emotion

Scientists have discovered a strong link between the heart and brain, with every heartbeat influencing cognition and emotion within milliseconds. This connection, according to researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, explains why cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders often coincide.

Brain-body states operate on various timescales. Microstates, tied to emotions, occur in milliseconds. Mesostates, linked to stress, span hours to days. Macrostates, underlying chronic diseases, develop over years. Understanding these states is crucial for preventing and treating both physical and mental health issues effectively. This integrated approach should consider cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological factors.

The high coincidence of mental and cardiovascular illnesses reflects a shared brain-body state. Mental illnesses have a cardiovascular component, and vice versa. For instance, hypertension often coincides with depression and anxiety due to this brain-body link.

The heart and brain's deep interconnection highlights the importance of a holistic approach to health. Future treatments and preventions should integrate cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological factors. This understanding could revolutionise how we address both physical and mental health issues.

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