The Rhodiola Revolution by Richard P. Brown M.D. & Patricia L. Gerbarg M.D

Author:Richard P. Brown, M.D. & Patricia L. Gerbarg, M.D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rodale Inc
Published: 2015-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

SAFEGUARD

YOUR HEART

Think for a moment of the eloquent expressions that we use to describe our hearts. They may be full of love or heavy with sorrow. They may bleed. Sometimes they feel as though they’re pounding against our ribs or they’ve skipped a beat. We say that our hearts rise into our throats or drop to our feet, as though they’ve broken free of their moorings.

When we are sincere, our words are heartfelt. If we give our love to someone who’s untrue, our hearts ache or break. Of course, when we find a new sweetheart, we don’t mind if our old flames eat their hearts out.

Metaphors like these capture a simple truth: The heart is exquisitely sensitive to emotion and stress. Science explains that both branches of the autonomic nervous system act directly on the heart, which is essential during the fight-or-flight response. Whether we’re physically threatened, emotionally agitated, or sexually aroused, the body’s stress response system kicks into gear and releases cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine. These “stress hormones” help speed up the heart and increase the amount of blood and oxygen being pumped through the coronary arteries. The muscle cells of the heart must produce enough energy to beat faster and stronger, supporting whatever action may be necessary—fending off an attack, running for safety, or making love.

Every aspect of heart function, from the condition of coronary arteries and heart muscle cells to the transmission of electrical impulses that regulate heartbeat, is under the influence of the stress response system. In cases of severe or chronic stress, the sustained release of stress hormones—which normally would help save our lives in an emergency—instead turns against our bodies and damages our organs, including our hearts. Given that heart disease ranks as the number one killer of American men and women, the wear and tear on a heart under stress is cause for serious concern.

WHAT THE HEART NEEDS MOST

Rhodiola rosea can enhance heart function. First and foremost, it works by helping to restore balance in the autonomic nervous system—specifically, by curtailing the reactivity of the sympathetic branch while strengthening the calming and recharging action of the parasympathetic branch.

In chapter 2, we talked at length about the role of the vagus nerve in the calming action of the parasympathetic nervous system. To summarize, the more active the vagus nerve, the slower the heart rate, which reduces the likelihood of an irregular heartbeat. This is reflected in improved heart rate variability (HRV) and energy efficiency, as well as increased energy reserves. 2

HRV uses frequencies emitted by a beating heart to analyze the normal variations in heart rate that occur with breathing, changes in oxygen and body temperature, and other factors. The high frequencies can help measure vagus nerve activity. Recent research has shown a strong link between HRV, stress, and the outcome of myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Specifically, an increase in the high frequencies of HRV—indicating vagus nerve action on the heart—appears to not only lower the risk of cardiovascular disease but also improve the odds of surviving a heart attack 5 and the speed of recovery.

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