Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
Is there a relationship between positive/negative thoughts and cardiac function?
Sir, can a low EF of 30-40% be caused by negative thinking, such as with a depressed person? Is there a relationship between positive or negative thoughts on the heart?
submitted by Harish from India on 10/1/2014
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Michael J. Mihalick, MD
Harish: The short answer is no. However, the levels of stress hormones in the blood are elevated during stress. Besides having a negative effect on heart function themselves, they counter the effects of medications used to improve heart function. Patients under stress do not do as well as those with no stress. Therefore the stress relieving effects of meditation can be quite beneficial.
See also on this site:
Has your question or a similar one already been answered?
Search all the Heart Doctor questions and answers.
To search for a doctor or access St. Luke's physician referral service, use the "Find a Doctor" link at the top of this page.
Updated October 2014
