By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Matters of the Heart
When it comes to love, the brain, and more specifically the amygdala, regulates the feelings and emotions we experience. So, why does the heart get all the credit? Perhaps it’s because when we fall in love our heart beats faster, or because we find comfort in listening to the heartbeat of someone we love. As soon as we are born, the heart becomes the organ that never rests, pumping life-giving blood throughout the body for the entirety of our lives. Imagine a complex man-made machine with such an important job working that well for so long! Just as the heart endures, so does love. It’s no wonder we gift the human heart with our ability to love.
Having love in your life is good for the heart. Surrounding yourself with people who love you, whether that’s family, friends, or pet companions, is beneficial to your heart health in several ways. When we feel love our brain releases dopamine, which makes us feel calm, and the “love hormone” oxytocin, which relaxes blood vessels and may help repair damaged heart muscles.
The calmness and peace that love brings lowers blood pressure and reduces stress and anxiety. And if you do develop heart problems, love can help you recover. Research has shown that married people and those who have the support of loved ones, have better outcomes and survival rates after cardiac surgery.
We also attribute love lost to the heart, suffering a “broken heart.” In fact, the heart does suffer physically due to emotional stress, in what’s known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome.” The emotional stress of losing love causes temporary weakness in the heart muscles, and the symptoms of a heart attack like chest pain and shortness of breath. But these symptoms, while frightening, are only temporary. Unlike a real heart attack, where heart tissue is damaged, the sudden surge of stress hormones that “stun” the heart muscles in broken heart syndrome doesn’t do any permanent harm. Broken heart syndrome is more common in women, and in rare cases can be fatal, so anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack should seek medical attention.
It’s clear that love is good for the heart, but how do you go about filling your life with more of it?
We are fortunate here in South Pinellas to have places and opportunities to meet friends (both human and furry) and romantic interests. One of the best ways to meet people is to hang out at the dog park. If you don’t have a dog, I highly recommend adopting one from a local shelter like Pet Pal or Friends of Strays, or a breed-specific rescue organization. When I moved to St. Petersburg, I adopted my beloved Rottie from a rescue and have since spent countless hours at the dog park meeting people and making lasting friendships. The best part, however, is that my dog and I have given each other nine years of unconditional love, which is great for our hearts.
Another way to “find your tribe” is through exercise, whether it’s playing pickleball at the public courts, joining a local running club, or taking a group exercise class. When you have shared interests and see people on a regular basis, it’s easier to get to know one another and form deep bonds. While you’re having fun exercising with friends and loved ones, your heart is enjoying the benefits of improved circulation, stress reduction, and strengthening of the heart muscles. Over the years I have met some of my closest friends in dance class, and more recently I have found new friendships playing tennis. I suppose the lesson here is to do something you love, and love will find you.
Perhaps the most rewarding way to meet new people is through volunteering. There are numerous charitable organizations in South Pinellas that need volunteers, whether it’s one time or once a week. If you are interested in the Arts, volunteer at Museum of Fine Arts, Morean Arts Center, Creative Clay, or American Stage Theatre. If you’re interested in helping the environment, lend a hand to Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Tampa Bay Watch, or the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. If you want to help wildlife, volunteer with the Seaside Sea Bird Sanctuary.
There are numerous organizations to help people in need, including the Boley Centers, CASA, Daystar Life Center, and more. I have been a volunteer at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic for the past eight years, helping clients in the We Help Food Pantry. There is a lot of love given and received in places like this.
When it comes to heart health, having good relationships is as important as a healthy diet and exercise (and not smoking). Positive relationships are a two-way street of trust and security, providing the support we need to handle stress, develop healthy habits, and feel happy. Our capacity as humans to love and to love others is at the core of our well-being. Opening your heart to love may be the key to saving it. As Rumi said, “The rose opens and opens, and when it falls, falls outward.”
A ROSE IS (NOT JUST) A ROSE
Did you know that the rose is not just a symbol of love, but a flower that is also good for the heart? Rose hips and petals contain antioxidants that lower blood pressure and cholesterol and fight free radicals that lead to heart disease.