Medically reviewed by Alissa Scott, MSN, RN 

Have you ever noticed your heart beating faster when you’re worried or anxious? Or how a joyful moment—like a visit from a loved one—can ease your stress almost instantly? That’s your brain and heart working together. These two vital organs stay in constant communication, and that connection becomes even more important as we age.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between the brain and the heart, how they work together, and simple things seniors can do to support both.

How the brain and heart work

Let’s start with a quick look at these organs and what they do.

The brain acts as the “driver” of most processes in your body, and is composed of three main sections:¹

• Cerebrum: Initiates movement regulates many functions, and includes four lobes.
• Cerebellum: Sends messages and coordinates movement, balance, and posture.
• Brain stem: Connects the spinal cord to the cerebrum.

The heart is the main part of the cardiovascular system. It helps move blood through your body. Each time your heart beats, blood that is filled with oxygen and nutrients is sent throughout your body. After the blood has delivered what your body needs, it returns to the heart to get more oxygen and start the process again.²

How do the brain and the heart work together?

The brain is a very busy organ, and it needs a lot of energy to do its job. That energy comes from the blood that your heart pumps. Without a steady supply of blood, your brain can’t function properly.

Your brain controls your heart rate and blood pressure. It does this through your nervous system, which has two main parts:³

• Sympathetic nervous system: Also known as the “fight or flight” response, this system is activated when the body is threatened and under stress, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
• Parasympathetic nervous system: Also known as the “rest and digest” response, this system is activated when the body tries to relax after a threat passes, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.

How brain health impacts the heart

Did you know that your brain health can affect your heart health? Here are some brain-related factors that may increase your risk of heart problems:

• Chronic stress: When you’re stressed all the time, your body releases hormones that can damage your heart over time.⁴
• Depression: Depression can make it harder to take care of yourself, which can lead to unhealthy habits that hurt your heart.⁵
• Social isolation: Feeling lonely can increase stress hormones and weaken your immune system, making you more likely to have heart problems.⁵

Heart health impacts on the brain

Just like your brain health may affect your heart, your heart health may play a part in your mental health, too. The same risk factors that contribute to high rates of heart disease may also impact the rising prevalence of brain disease.

According to the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic, statistics on heart health show:⁶

• People with high blood pressure may be at greater risk of cognitive decline.
• People with heart failure may be twice as likely to develop dementia.
• Atrial fibrillation may increase the risk of blood clots to the brain, which may lead to dementia or stroke.
• Coronary artery disease may increase the risk of negative cognitive outcomes.

Tips for a healthy brain and heart

The good news is that there are many simple things you can do to support both of these organs. Keep reading to learn about lifestyle changes that your brain and heart will thank you for.

Improve your diet

Following the MIND diet may help lower your risk of cognitive decline and heart disease.⁷ The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, and it focuses on these healthy food groups:

• Leafy green veggies
• Nuts
• Berries
• Beans
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Poultry
• Olive oil
• Legumes

Get enough sleep

Sleep plays an important role in your overall health, including your brain and heart health.

Here are some tips for healthy sleep:

• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Engage in relaxing activities close to bedtime.
• Make your bedroom quiet and dark.
• Don’t lie awake in bed.

Relax and de-stress

When stress hormones are elevated, it may be difficult to rest.

Here are some tips to help manage stress:

• Meditate: Studies show that meditation may help the area of the brain dedicated to regulating emotions.
• Mindful movement: Structured focus and movement may help decrease stress and improve optimism.
• Laugh: Laughter ignites a stress response then calms it down, resulting in positive physical and mental changes.

Take your medications

In conjunction with healthy lifestyle habits, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent further health complications.

If needed, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help:

• Lower or maintain cholesterol and blood pressure
• Control risks related to atrial fibrillation.
• Manage depression or other mental health conditions.
• Control blood sugar levels.

Additional lifestyle tips

Healthy habits don’t come overnight, but practicing consistency may help you create a lasting, healthier lifestyle.

Here are some general guidelines that may help improve the brain-heart connection:

• Get adequate exercise.
• Avoid smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Stay involved and engaged.

As you’ve learned, your brain and heart are partners, working together to keep you healthy. By making healthy choices and working with your doctor, you can support both brain and heart health for years to come. Talk to your Conviva primary care doctor about creating a plan that’s right for you.

Disclaimers:

This blog is based on insights shared in Conviva on Demand: The brain-heart connection, available on the Engagement Hub.

Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness or dietary plan. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement of any website or other sources. For any health-related questions, contact your healthcare provider.

Sources:

•  “Brain Anatomy and How the Brain Works,” Johns Hopkins Medicine, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain.

• “How the Heart Works: The Heart,” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart.

• Autonomic Nervous System, Cleveland Clinic, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23273-autonomic-nervous-system.

• “Chronic stress can cause heart trouble,” American Heart Association, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/04/chronic-stress-can-cause-heart-trouble.

• “Heart disease and depression: A two-way relationship,” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2017/heart-disease-and-depression-two-way-relationship.

• “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain,” American Heart Association Newsroom, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://newsroom.heart.org/news/whats-good-for-the-heart-is-good-for-the-brain.

• DeeDee Stiepan, “Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND diet improve brain health?” Mayo Clinic, last accessed May 15, 2025, https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-can-the-mind-diet-improve-brain-health.