A Family Legacy, Stress, and the Choice to Care for My Heart
Every year, as the end of January rolls around, I notice a familiar heaviness settle in. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Both my father and my grandfather passed away during this time of year, and that kind of loss has a way of living quietly in the body – even decades later.
This year, though, something has shifted.
As I’ve become more intentional about my own health, I realized a deeper connection I hadn’t fully faced before: both my maternal grandfather and my father died of heart attacks – after living for years with pacemakers. When you look at that through the lens of genetics, it’s sobering. It doesn’t mean the same fate is inevitable, but it does mean I have a responsibility and an opportunity to pay attention.
February is American Heart Month, and for me, it feels personal.
Most of us are well aware of the traditional advice for heart health:
eat better, move more, quit smoking, manage cholesterol, keep blood pressure in check.
But what often gets pushed to the side or minimized – is chronic stress.
Research consistently shows that long-term stress doesn’t just affect our mood; it places a real physiological burden on the heart. Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system – the “fight-or-flight” response – increasing heart rate, blood pressure, inflammation, and cortisol levels. Over time, this sustained activation can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
According to the American Heart Association, “Stress may lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. Stress also may contribute to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, physical inactivity, and smoking.”
Harvard Health Publishing further notes that chronic stress can damage arteries, promote inflammation, and accelerate plaque buildup, all of which raise heart-attack risk, especially in those with genetic predispositions.
Like many people, I’ve spent years hearing what I should do:
- Eat fewer processed foods
- Move my body more consistently
- Sleep better
- Slow down
And I am working on those things – thoughtfully, realistically, and without perfectionism. Changes in eating habits and exercise routines take time, especially when life is full and stressors are real.
But there is one change I am making consistently now, and it’s been foundational: Reducing my stress at the level of the brain and nervous system with IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN).
Most of us cannot immediately change our environment.
We can’t always leave demanding jobs, caregiving roles, financial pressures, or ongoing responsibilities.
But what can change is how our brain interprets and responds to stress.
When the brain is constantly perceiving threats, even subtle, ongoing stress – the body remains locked in survival mode. The heart never truly gets a break.
If we can help the brain shift out of that chronic stress response, the body follows.
IASIS MCN works by delivering ultra-low level microcurrent stimulation to the brain while monitoring EEG activity. This gentle input supports the brain’s natural ability to self-regulate and move out of dysregulated stress patterns.
Research on neurofeedback and microcurrent neuromodulation shows improvements in:
- Autonomic nervous system balance
- Stress resilience
- Emotional regulation
- Sleep quality
- Physiological markers of relaxation
A peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience notes that neurofeedback interventions can reduce stress-related nervous system overactivation, supporting parasympathetic (rest-and-repair) activity — the state in which healing and cardiovascular recovery occur.
For me personally, the impact has been noticeable:
- My body feels calmer
- My reactions are less intense
- My baseline stress has softened
- My system feels more resilient instead of constantly braced
This matters not just for peace of mind, but for long-term heart health.
I can’t change my family history.
But I can change how I care for my nervous system, my stress levels, and my overall health.
American Heart Month feels like the right time to say this out loud:
Heart health isn’t just about diet and exercise. It’s about how safely your nervous system feels living your life.
Reducing stress is not indulgent.
It’s preventative care.
If you’re curious about how nervous system regulation and IASIS MCN can support your health – heart, mind, and body – I invite you to learn more or schedule a session.
With calm comes clarity and with clarity, healthier choices follow.
💙
Pam
Founder, Galenoia Brain Wellness
- American Heart Association. Stress and Heart Health.https://www.heart.org
- Harvard Health Publishing. Stress and Heart Disease.https://www.health.harvard.edu
- Thibault, R. T., Lifshitz, M., & Raz, A. (2018). Neurofeedback or neuroplacebo? Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 1–17.
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