What Role Does Love Play in Our Heart Health?
February is the perfect month to show some love to your heart!
It’s no coincidence that the symbol commonly associated with our major life-sustaining organ is also a representation of our desire to connect meaningfully with others. Love, friendship, and the support they provide can significantly influence our heart health.
According to Colleen Norris, a prominent heart researcher at the University of Alberta, “Love enhances your health because emotional support leads to better physical and mental well-being, regardless of who you cherish during your life journey.”
In honor of Heart Month, Wear Red Canada Day, and Valentine’s Day, Folio has reached out to Norris to shed light on how love positively affects heart health.
Love Is About Connection
Norris emphasizes that the individual who loves you doesn't necessarily have to be a romantic partner.
“Our research consistently shows that men tend to fare better when they are married,” she explains. “For women, the outcomes improve significantly when they report having strong social connections with friends, family members like sisters or daughters.”
Studies conducted by Norris and her colleagues indicate that after undergoing treatment for coronary artery disease, women often report a lower quality of health-related life compared to men. A major contributing factor to this disparity is social isolation. Women lacking substantial social support are more likely to experience depression and struggle to adhere to their medication and treatment regimens. In contrast, having social support not only alleviates psychological distress but also facilitates recovery.
“The data clearly indicates that women benefit more from having a close friend, daughter, or sister—essentially someone they can confide in first—and this doesn’t have to be a spouse,” Norris clarifies.
Moreover, Norris warns that heart disease can place additional stress on a marriage when individuals rely solely on their spouse for support.
“This reliance can create tension in the relationship, as one partner may feel burdened by the illness, while the other feels the weight of needing to care for them,” she explains.
Reflecting on her personal experiences, Norris shares that when she found herself in an emergency room due to chest pain last year, she immediately thought of a friend she has known since childhood.
“It’s that deep connection, that shared history we possess. She is the person I reach out to when something goes awry in my life,” Norris explains. “I simply say, ‘Kath, you won’t believe what just happened!’ and we can discuss it openly without any judgment.”
This insight opens up a vital conversation about the importance of nurturing various forms of relationships in our lives. How do you think emotional support impacts your health? Are there friends or family that you rely on during tough times? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
