Many studies show your state of mind can protect, as well as damage heart health. Important risk factors that may lead to heart disease include stress, anger and depression.
They can be as damaging as high cholesterol levels in causing heart disease. Unaccustomed stress such as the loss of a family member can trigger heart attacks in an otherwise well individual. Conversely, a positive state of mind, a supportive community and personal happiness may help reduce the risk of a bad cardiovascular event.
Introducing our Heart Health Club Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr Miranda Say.
Dr Say recently hosted our “Tea with the Experts” Webinar discussing how improving heart health can help protect our memory and other thinking abilities as we age. You can watch the recording below.
Dr Say has a special interest in the role that modifiable lifestyle factors have on physical and mental health. She completed her Doctoral neuropsychology training while working at London’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and has specialised in neurodegenerative diseases. She currently holds a public hospital appointment, and also works in private practice at Gordon Eye Surgery in Sydney’s north.
She has published widely in peer-reviewed scientific journals, has co-authored an internationally-renowned cognitive rehabilitation manual, and her research has won awards both locally and internationally.
Dr Say is a keen advocate for the physical and mental benefits of mindfulness and meditation, as well as the importance of challenging oneself and pushing beyond one’s comfort zones. In addition to recommending this to her patients, she implements this regularly in her personal life.
She’ll be regularly sharing her knowledge and insights with our Heart Health Club members so make sure you sign up so you don’t miss anything!
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Heart Health Club Accredited Exercise Physiologist