SFLHCC hosts panel about the impact of mental health in the heart

DORAL, FL – On the occasion of Heart Disease Awareness Month, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) held a panel on February 10th on how stress and anxiety can affect the heart. 

During the 10th Annual Heart Disease Awareness Luncheon and Panel Discussion, that took place at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, three panelists were invited: Joseph Lamelas, M.D., Chief of Cardiac Surgery of UHealth, Dr. Vivian Gonzalez, CEO Outpatient Psy Care Neuropsychologist and the Clinical Expert on Telemundo’s Show ‘Caso Cerrado’ for 14 years, and Isaac Akkad, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist of HCA Florida Mercy Hospital.

The experts, provided by presenting sponsor University of Miami Health System and Gold sponsor HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, were able to discuss with the audience how stress and anxiety can cause heart problems and lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fast heart beats and dizziness.

In addition, the panel was followed by a Fashion Show hosted by Miami International Mall with models of the Network Society of Hispanic Women of the chamber.

The topic brought by SFLHCC is a very important one considering anxiety alone is the most common mental health condition in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults, while it is estimated that 31% of all adults will experiment an anxiety disorder throughout their lives, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

People who have generalized anxiety disorder seem to suffer higher rates of heart attacks and other cardiac events. The effect is more pronounced in people who already have a diagnosis of heart disease, and the risk rises with the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms.