Friends: good for your heart

Pulmonary hypertension patients are at risk of heart failure, and conversely, heart failure patients are at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. This Heart Month, we’re posting tips for keeping your heart strong and healthy.

We’re learning more about how important social connections are—not only for our mental health, but for our physical health too! Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Social connections are so important for health that there’s a whole “social prescribing” movement to help connect people to the people and things that matter to them.

It isn’t so much the isolation or loneliness itself that’s the problem, but the risk factors that lead to it: depression, low income, low education, lack of physical activity, and—yes—chronic illnesses such as pulmonary hypertension.

It can take some planning, but it’s good for your heart to get out to see a friend, attend a community program, visit a cultural institution, or whatever else recharges your social batteries and helps you feel connected.

Looking to connect? Join one of PHA Canada’s Meet-Ups, check out our PH Buddy program, or see the support group listings.