Maybe it’s worth one more go on dating apps eh?
A medical expert has highlighted the positive impact of loving relationships on heart health.
Although Valentine’s Day has come and gone, whether you shared it with a partner, friend, family member, or pet, the affection you experienced can influence your heart health significantly.
Can love really impact the heart’s health? (Getty Stock Images)
The ‘love’ hormone
Cardiologist Dr. Joy Gelbman from NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine shared with The New York Post that there is “evidence” supporting the idea that being “in supportive, happy relationships promotes heart health.”
“One theory suggests that loving relationships can elevate oxytocin levels while reducing stress hormones like cortisol, leading to better blood pressure and improved overall heart health,” she explained.
According to Healthline, oxytocin is “a hormone that functions as a neurotransmitter” and is vital for reproduction. It plays a key role in initiating “labor and the release of breast milk” in women and facilitating sperm movement in men.
“When you feel attracted to someone, your brain releases dopamine, serotonin levels spike, and oxytocin is produced, creating a flood of positive feelings,” the site notes.
Happy wife, healthy heart? (Getty Stock Images)
Oxytocin can be triggered through enjoyable activities, including hobbies and acts of kindness, but it is especially potent through physical affection like hugging, kissing, and sexual intimacy.
Furthermore, Healthline indicates this hormone can lead to a “reduction in blood pressure and the stress hormone norepinephrine.”
