Taking care of your heart doesn’t just protect you from heart attacks and strokes—it helps your entire body stay healthier and stronger.
A new study from Emory University shows that good heart health supports everything from your brain and lungs to your muscles, vision, and even your mood.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, reviewed nearly 500 studies on the subject.
It found that people who practice heart-healthy habits enjoy wide-ranging benefits that extend far beyond the heart.
According to lead author Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D., MPH, “almost every organ system and bodily function from head to toe benefits from a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
The researchers looked at the American Heart Association’s guidelines, known as Life’s Simple 7, which include not smoking, eating well, staying active, keeping a healthy weight, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
A more recent update, called Life’s Essential 8, also highlights the importance of getting enough sleep.
People who followed these habits were more likely to keep their memory sharp, maintain strong lungs, preserve their vision and hearing, and hold onto muscle strength as they grew older.
They also had lower levels of stress hormones and were less likely to suffer from serious health problems such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, fatty liver disease, and kidney disease.
Beyond physical health, the benefits extended to mental and emotional well-being.
Those with healthy hearts reported feeling better about their quality of life and experienced lower rates of depression and anxiety.
The study even found links between heart health and healthier pregnancies, reduced sleep problems, and fewer issues with mobility and disability in later years.
Financial benefits also came into play. People with good cardiovascular health tended to spend less on medical care, used fewer health services, and faced lower costs related to non-heart diseases.
This study is the first comprehensive look at how caring for your heart impacts the whole body.
It makes one thing clear: simple lifestyle choices—like eating nutritious foods, staying active, sleeping well, and avoiding smoking—can protect not just your heart, but nearly every part of your body.
In short, a healthy heart may be the key to a longer, stronger, and happier life.
