Video: Let your mind protect your heart By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details Feeling anxious? It could have an impact on your heart. When you're stressed, your body responds with an increase in stress hormones and higher blood pressure. It's time to start relaxing. Whether you decide to meditate, get active or spend time with your loved ones, here's how to cultivate a relaxed state of mind that will protect your heart and reduce your stress. Show transcript Let your mind protect your heart Meditation can help lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Embrace your inner calm. Quieting your mind reduces stress hormones, blood pressure and inflammation. Pick a style that works for you. Meditation can be yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, prayer or just listening to soothing music. Learn to focus your attention. Multitasking can jumble thoughts, crowd your mind and cause stress. Keep practicing. It takes time to cultivate calm. Pay attention to the present moment. And breathe deeply. Make heart health your mantra. Add mindfulness to your regular diet, exercise and medication regimen. Expert guidance from the cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Mayo Clinic.Get more healthy action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic app. Show references Meditation to boost health and well-being. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/meditation-to-boost-health-and-wellbeing. Accessed Sept. 30, 2024. Schneider RH, et al. Stress reduction in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Randomized, controlled trial of transcendental meditation and health education in Blacks. Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2012;5:750. Ray IG, et al. Meditation and coronary heart disease: A review of the current clinical evidence. The Oschner Journal. 2014;14:696. Robins JL, et al. The effects of tai chi on cardiovascular risk in women. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2016;30:613. Meditation: In depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm. Accessed March 1, 2017. VID-20314293