The mind, heart, and body are interconnected and interdependent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year. Poor mental health symptoms, including depression, have acute and chronic impact on the cardiovascular (CV) system, leading to an increased risk of disease, comorbidities, and premature death.

Prolonged mental stress can influence physiological and behavioral responses like elevated blood pressure, inflammation, increased oxidative stress, increased cortisol level, insulin resistance, poor dietary intake, and poor compliance with medications, ultimately contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dietary and mind-body interventions play an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD.

This session explains the psychological, physiological and behavioral changes that occur when mental health is not optimized--changes that can lead to increased risk for CVD. Nutrition professionals will learn how they can play an essential role in addressing the importance of mental health and its impact on food choices and CV health. Attendees will be able to identify the importance of mental well-being and be able to share tips with clients on ways to improve their mental health and dietary choices to assist them in improving their CV well-being.