Heart health: de-stress for a healthier heart

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Heart health is very important, and with many Americans dying each year from heart disease and other cardiovascular complications, it is an important things to get a hold of as early as possible.

Obviously a healthy diet and plenty of exercise can add years to your life, but one that is often overlooked is de-stressing.

Jill Steen, a cardiovascular rehabilitation nurse at Med Center, says that relieving stress can go a long way.

“Stress is kind of makes the heart work harder. Blood pressure go up, heart rate go up. So taking those times to sit down and relax, just, you know, even if it’s just ten or 15 minutes of just sitting and relaxing, reading a book, listening to music, you know, being open with your family and, you know, and talking things out and not letting things get pent up inside can help,” Steen said.

Why not take some time this Valentine’s Day to unwind with your partner or disconnect from all the noise and simply relax.