Spokane Cardiology: How to have a healthy, happy heart

Your Spokane Cardiologist has told you that you are in danger of having a heart attack. You go to a cardiologist at the Kootenai Medical Center for a second opinion, and she tells you the same thing. Get healthy now or suffer the consequences. Are you really prepared to take that risk? My best guess would be “NO!” They prescribe medications and tell you that getting off your butt will help. They strongly suggest that you don’t rely on medication alone. You need a life style change. No more greasy food. No more Spokane fast food. No more couch potato! But what can you really do to increase your heart health? The answer is simple.

Get happy!

Music and it’s affect on heart health.

A years-long study by Dr. Mike Miller of the University Medical Center in Baltimore shows that being happy can improve your heart health. Scientists have known for quite some time now that laughter can actually open up blood vessels and increase the blood flow in your heart. Dr. Miller focused his own study on music. If watching a funny movie can open up those vessels, why shouldn’t music that makes a person happy have the same affect? After a simple set up to monitor the hearts reaction, the result of a participant listening to music, or even playing an instrument themselves, was not surprising. Not only did the vessels open up and allow more blood to flow through, chemicals were also produced that are beneficial to the heart. When the participants listened to music they didn’t enjoy, the chemical production stopped and the vessels began to close.

What else can I do to have a healthy heart?

We have mentioned before that listening to up beat music during a work out can keep you motivated. This recent study shows that the music not only keeps you moving, it also keeps your blood flowing! Working out will help you lose weight which will decrease the strain on your heart. Working out can also increase the production of chemicals that help you feel happy and content. Double that up with music that makes you happy, and you are well on your way to having a happy heart! Miller does suggest to change up your music selection often as listening to the same songs over and over again actually decreases their affect on your vessels.

You can get the best work out of your life, and possibly save your life, with Zach Hunt of Physzique Personal Fitness. Contact Zach today to set up and appointment to begin the rest of your healthy, happy life!