Question:

Is there a relationship between positive/negative thoughts and cardiac function?

Sir, can a low EF of 30-40% be caused by negative thinking, such as with a depressed person? Is there a relationship between positive or negative thoughts on the heart?

Submitted by Harish from India on 10/01/2014

Harish: The short answer is no. However, the levels of stress hormones in the blood are elevated during stress. Besides having a negative effect on heart function themselves, they counter the effects of medications used to improve heart function. Patients under stress do not do as well as those with no stress. Therefore the stress relieving effects of meditation can be quite beneficial.