Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

When Stress Harms the Heart

 

DESCRIPTION

A small study indicates that the amygdala region of the brain, long known for it’s role in emotions may now play a role in heart disease.   The study found that stress affecting the brain in the processing of emotions in the amygdala can cause inflammation of the arteries leading to heart disease.  ““This study demonstrates, for the first time, that metabolic activity within a key component of the brain’s fear network predicts the development of [heart disease] in humans, independently of established risk factors…” (Time article)

SOURCE

Time Magazine, March 24, 2016, by Alexandra Sifferlin

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4270655/how-stress-harms-the-heart/

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is health Psychology?
•How does stress affect the body in general?
•What is the role of the limbic system in the brain?
•Specifically what is the function of the amygdala?

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