Social and spiritual support really do matter when it comes to surviving disease, research suggests.


Heart disease patients who receive psychological support are less likely to die from their disease or return to the hospital, according to a new review of studies presented at the annual meeting of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association of the European Society of Cardiology.


"The nurses on our coronary care unit observed that patients were less likely to have another heart attack[1] , die, or return to [the] hospital when we talked to them about their treatment, played music for them or helped religious patients to say prayers," study researcher Zoi Aggelopoulou, a nurse from Athens, Greece, said in a statement. "It made us think that coronary heart disease is not just physical but also has a psychological component."


For the review, researchers looked at nine previously conducted randomized-controlled trials that examined the effects of psychological interventions, when combined with regular rehabilitation, on coronary heart disease patients. They found that deaths and cardiovascular events decreased 55 percent after two years when these psychological interventions were employed.


"The results of our study strengthen the evidence that psychological factors have a big role to play in heart disease," Aggelopoulou said in the statement. "Not only do they impact on the risk of having a heart attack, but they also affect the future outlook of a patient who has had a cardiovascular event. This validates our view that cardiovascular disease is not just a physical disease but also has a substantial psychological component."


Indeed, past studies have linked a good mental state with heart health. Everyday Health reported on a study in the journal Medical Hypotheses showing that adding a mind-body yoga practice for stress management[2] to standard treatment helped patients with atrial fibrillation.



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  • Oatmeal


    Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber and contains <a href="http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Beta-Glucan.htm">beta-glucans</a>, which help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels. One <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/1918?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=oatmeal">half-cup serving</a> provides about 4.5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.




  • Salmon


    Salmon is an excellent source of <a href="http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm">omega-3</a> fatty acids, which have been associated with a reduction in heart disease risk. Salmon is also a <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/calcium-magnesium-vitamin-k-00400000055855/page9.html">natural source</a> of healthy protein and vitamin D. One three-ounce serving -- the size of a deck of cards -- <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4433?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=salmon">contains</a> 17 grams of protein. The American Heart Association <a href="http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/106/21/2747.full">recommends</a> including at least two servings of fish per week (particularly fatty fish).




  • Broccoli


    Broccoli is <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2857?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=broccoli">chock-full</a> of the antioxidant vitamins A and C. It is a cruciferous vegetable, and part of the <em>Brassica</em> family, which also includes Brussels sprouts, bok choy, kale, and collards. Members of the Brassica family are rich in <a href="http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/19%20(01)%202011/(19)IFRJ-2010-256%20Kumar.pdf">phytochemicals</a>, known to have antioxidant properties.




  • Peanuts


    Peanuts are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4194275.stm">contain</a> protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. Regular consumption of peanuts has been associated with <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010509083114.htm">lower risk</a> for coronary heart disease in people who eat them instead of other high-fat foods. <a href="http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FPHN%2FPHN13_10%2FS1368980009992837a.pdf&code=d85b9ca8546fd9c9559d97c60a9e146d">Peanut consumption</a> has been shown to improve lipid profiles in those with high cholesterol.




  • Avocados


    Avocados are rich in <a href="http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-09-2012/foods-that-help-lower-cholesterol-slideshow.html#slide1">heart-healthy</a> monounsaturated fats, which may help raise levels of HDL (good cholesterol) while lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). They are also high in the antioxidant vitamin E.




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    Pistachios <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3665?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=pistachios">contain</a> healthy fats, protein, and fiber. They are also rich in plant stanols; <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10376778">research found</a> that substituting these jade gems for fatty meats can actually lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol.




  • Cantaloupe


    Cantaloupe, a member of the melon family is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, a plant-based vitamin A precursor. It is also rich in the mineral potassium, which may help lower blood pressure and the risk for stroke. A one-cup serving <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2290?qlookup=cantaloupe&fg=&format=&man=&lfacet=&max=25&new=1">contains</a> a mere 50 calories, which can certainly help with weight control.




  • Red Wine


    <a href="http://www.dovepress.com/red-wine-and-cardiovascular-health-the-french-paradox-revisited-peer-reviewed-article-IJWR">Red wine</a>, in moderation, is associated with heart health and contains a high levels of antioxidants. Polyphenols, including <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-307-RESVERATROL.aspx?activeIngredientId=307&activeIngredientName=RESVERATROL">resveratrol</a>, are associated with an increase in good cholesterol, a reduction in bad cholesterol, and a decrease in inflammation.




  • Olive Oil


    Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated, heart-healthy fat. Diets rich in<a href="http://journals.lww.com/cardiovascularpharm/Abstract/2009/12000/Olive_Oil_and_Cardiovascular_Health.3.aspx"> olive oil</a>, such as the Mediterranean diet, have been associated with heart health. Olive oil is also rich in <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11758647/#.URKZbkqLx8o">antioxidants</a>, like polyphenols, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, which can help protect blood vessels and other components of the heart.




  • Tomatoes


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