| Want a Healthy Heart? Laughter and Love Can Help Feelings of depression, anxiety, social isolation, hostility, and anger put us at a higher risk for heart disease. Fortunately, research shows that how we view the world makes a difference and in particular laughter is very good for us. In a wide range of studies, laughter has been found to increases the blood flow by causing the inner lining of blood vessels (endothelium) to dilate. Interestingly, this dilatation of the endothelium by laughter is similar to the benefits gained from aerobic exercise and cholesterol-lowering drugs. The difference is that laughter has an immediate effect and very pleasant side effects. Of course, you know laughter is good medicine, but did you know that laughter can boost the immune system by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells? A hearty laugh can relax muscles for up to 45 minutes by decreasing stress hormones. In celebration of Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, add some humor to your life. Practice looking on the lighter side of life, spend more quality time with friends and family or perhaps watch an extra comedy on TV, YouTube or the movies. If all else fails, find a local Laughing Yoga Meetup group to enjoy the contagion of group laughter. Making humor a routine part of life is a lifestyle change that can add quality to your life. If you are over 50, you probably remember a time when you laughed more. An average baby laughs around 300 times a day compared with an average of 20 laughs a day for adults. As a warning, if you are average, you are not only losing muscle tone, you are also losing your sense of humor. Of course, babies have a laughter advantage. They learn to laugh before they learn to speak. With all that free time it’s really an unfair advantage. In fairness to the demands of adult life, there are many things to be serious about and fewer opportunities to belt out a laugh. Then again, the same excuse could be used for exercise or any number of needs that we never grow out of. Still questioning the health benefits of laughter? Then I suggest taking up your concerns with the experts from the Cleveland Clinic. According to one study, laughter is, in essence, a contagious form of happiness The brain responds to the sound of laughter and tells the muscles in the face to join in the fun. It seems that when we laugh the world laughs with us and everyone around is better for it. For your health, find an opportunity for laughter. Then, share your lighter side of life with a friend. Better yet, share a little laughter with us Saturday morning. Hope to see you with a coat, hat, mittens, and, perhaps an umbrella. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama This is Not a Laughing Matter Knowing your heart disease risk is an important part of planning lifestyle changes that can make a difference in your quality of life. Calculating your risk of a heart attack is as simple as typing in a few details about your medical history. For the most accurate estimate, you will need your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. If you don't know them, just give the office a call. To begin the calculator, click here. The estimate provided is called The Reynolds Risk Score. If you are under the age of 80, healthy and without diabetes, then the calculator predicts your risk of having a future heart attack, stroke, or other major heart disease in the next 10 years. For suggestions about measures you should take to reduce your risk, just answer a few questions about your lifestyle with a questionnaire that asks the most important questions. Especially For Women Historically, cardiovascular research was focused on men. Today, far more women die of heart disease than men. Pioneering doctor, C. Noel Bairey Merz, shares what we know and don’t know about women’s heart health - including the remarkably different symptoms women present with during a heart attack and why they’re often missed. Be sure to learn more from Dr. Merz’s video “The Single Biggest Health Threat Women Face.” |