Did you know that an intimate relationship that’s marked by lots of conflict can truly break your heart? Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, my favorite researcher in the area of psychoneuroimmunology, just published an article in the medical journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews detailing research done by her and others in the damage that social conflict can do to our hearts by increasing inflammation in the body.
Basically, there are chemicals (called pro-inflammatory cytokines) released by immune cells in your body that activate macrophages - the immune cells that take part in the creation of the plaque that builds up in the arteries of the heart. These chemicals get released when you have an infection and also when you’re stressed! If you walk around with this stuff elevated for a long time, eventually that can make heart disease worse. So…when you say “he’s breaking my heart!” you may be right!
In another post, I’ll talk about various ways you can reduce inflammation in your body with lifestyle changes. In the meantime, if you’re in a bad relationship, get to work on it or consider ending it. That could save your life…
