Heart disease is often linked to high cholesterol, obesity, or lack of exercise. However, there is mounting evidence that suggests that mental health plays a crucial role in cardiovascular well-being. Stress, anxiety, and depression can silently strain the heart, increasing the risk of serious complications.

A recent study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that loneliness has a significant impact on proteins present in a person's blood. For the study, researchers used data from more than 42,000 participants to explore whether the 9.3% who reported social isolation and 6.4% who reported loneliness had different levels of proteins in their blood compared with those who did not. The researchers then studied data that tracked the health of participants over an average 14-year period.

"We found around 90% of these proteins are linked to the risk of mortality," Dr Chun Shen, Fudan University in China, who is also the lead researcher said. "In addition, about 50% of the proteins were linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke," he added.

Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, senior consultant at Sharda Hospital, said that subtle symptoms of heart disease, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the lower legs, dizziness, and jaw pain, are often overlooked or attributed to stress and ageing. "Women, in particular, may experience atypical signs like extreme fatigue, indigestion, or upper abdominal pain instead of classic chest pain, leading to delayed diagnosis," he added.

Can Mental Health Issues Trigger Heart Diseases?

Chronic stress can trigger harmful cardiovascular effects, including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and inflammation—key contributors to heart disease. Anxiety and depression further impact heart health by disrupting sleep patterns, raising stress hormone levels, and encouraging unhealthy habits like poor diet and inactivity.

Mental health issues like depression and anxiety have a profound impact on the heart. They don’t just affect emotions but can increase inflammation and put extra strain on the cardiovascular system, warns Dr Srivastav.

Certain risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, disproportionately affect women, making them more vulnerable to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, due to gender-specific symptom variations, heart disease in women often goes undiagnosed for longer.

Obesity is more prevalent in women than men and is a major risk factor for heart failure. Diabetes, too, has a greater impact on women’s heart health, yet diagnosis and treatment delays are common. Addressing this gap requires increasing awareness, training healthcare providers, and promoting early diagnostic tools,” explains Dr Srivastav.

How Can You Protect Your Heart?

A simple yet effective way to support heart health is by committing to a brisk 30-minute walk daily. Walking not only helps regulate blood pressure and manage weight but also improves circulation and reduces stress.

"Regular physical activity, paired with a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, significantly lowers cardiovascular risks," advises Dr Srivastav.

Heart disease can often go undetected until a major event occurs, making routine screenings essential.

- For women: Begin screenings around age 30 and continue with regular checkups.

- For men: Start screenings at age 35.

Health screenings, including blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), are critical for early detection of silent heart conditions.

Former NFL running back Chris Johnson recently shared a heartbreaking health crisis. The ex-Tennessee Titans star revealed that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no cure.

Former NFL Player Chris Johnson Reveals ALS Diagnosis

In a recent pre-taped interview, he spoke about finding out about the disease. He recalled, “At first it was little things like my grip didn't feel right, and I wasn't as strong as I'd always been.”

He also said that he thought the initial symptoms were related to the wear and tear from his sports career. He said, “I thought because of football and his career that it must be something with that. Maybe a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS.”

Dr. Merritt Cudkowicz, a neurologist at Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute, who also worked with actor Eric Dane before his death from ALS this year, revealed that Chris has been on a clinical trial that could help in alleviating inflammation.

He further shared that even though it has helped him, the disease has progressed rapidly in the last year. The former football star revealed using a speech-generating device, which is controlled by his eyes, to communicate. Before Johnson lost his ability to speak, doctors recorded his voice, allowing the device to sound like him.

What is ALS?

ALS is a neurological disorder that targets motor neurons, nerve cells in the brain, and spinal cord that are responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate and die, the brain can no longer communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure.

There are two major types of ALS:

Sporadic ALS: This is the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Though it appears without family history, a portion of cases may involve genetic mutations.

Familial ALS: Representing about 5% to 10% of cases, this inherited form results from specific genetic changes.

Who Is At Risk?

Certain groups are at higher risk. Military veterans and firefighters are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS, potentially due to environmental exposures, physical trauma, or toxins encountered during service.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition, entitling veterans to specialized care and benefits.

Complications Related to ALS

As ALS advances, it affects nearly every function that depends on muscle control. Some serious complications include:

Respiratory Failure: Weakening of the diaphragm and chest muscles creates breathlessness. Respiratory failure is often the main cause of death in ALS.

Speech and Communication Impairment: The disease will lead to slurred speech or mumbling, so that there is dependence on aid to communication.

Difficulty Swallowing and Feeding: Weakening of the muscles disrupts chewing and swallowing capacity so that patients become vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia or choking. Feeding tubes are most often required.

Dementia and Cognitive Impairment: A small percentage of ALS patients develop frontotemporal dementia, which is marked by changes in behavior and decision-making.

Despite the complications of the disease, Chris Johnson has assured his fans that he still possesses the same spirit he had before the diagnosis. With advanced symptomatic treatment, support, and medical technology, ALS patients can maintain a decent quality of life.

Tennis legend Serena Williams has criticized the anti-doping rules as "unreasonable" and "unprofessional" ahead of her Wimbledon return.

Serena Williams, who has won seven singles titles at Wimbledon during her legendary career, called the testing "grueling." The mother of two also criticized the anti-doping testing system, saying that even leaving her designated testing window to pick up her children could be counted as a missed test.

Her stance has reignited debate over whether the current system strikes the right balance between protecting clean sport and safeguarding athletes' well-being.

HealthandMe spoke to two sports medicine experts—Dr P. S. M. Chandran, President of the Indian Federation of Sports Medicine, and Dr Kajal Goyal, Team Physiotherapist of the India Women's Sepak Takraw Team—to understand how anti-doping rules affect athletes.

Sports physician Dr Chandran argues that the rationale behind the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) itself needs to be questioned, claiming its policies have become overly punitive.

On the other hand, the sports physio Dr Kajal believes there is no evidence that anti-doping testing directly harms athletes physically. However, she says the psychological burden associated with repeated surveillance can indirectly affect recovery, performance and injury risk.

Indirect Impact On Recovery

Also read: Marketa Vondrousova Banned For 4 Years From Tennis: How Doping Tests Work

According to Dr Kajal, blood and urine sample collection has minimal physiological impact, and there is no evidence that anti-doping testing directly delays muscle healing or tissue recovery.

Instead, she says the greatest concern is the indirect effect of unannounced testing on athletes' recovery.

"Even small reductions in sleep over time can slow muscle repair, reduce muscular recovery and increase fatigue. Athletes experiencing anxiety about missing a test or managing constant travel and reporting obligations may have higher psychological stress, which can affect sleep quality, motivation and overall readiness to train," she told HealthandMe.

Dr Kajal added that while repeated anti-doping testing has not been shown to reduce physiological performance, the stress associated with constant surveillance may contribute to anxiety, burnout and an increased risk of injury.

The expert also stressed that anti-doping remains an essential part of ensuring fair competition and suggested that authorities adopt more athlete-centered approaches, including better medical coordination, greater flexibility during rehabilitation and pregnancy, and stronger mental health support.

WADA's Approach Is Flimsy

Dr Chandran, however, said that WADA's justification for anti-doping rules lacks sufficient scientific evidence.

"WADA's argument for bringing in doping control in sports is indeed flimsy. WADA claims that doping enhances performance without much supporting data. The other argument is that doping is injurious to athletes. Here also, WADA fails to produce evidence-based medicine," he told HealthandMe.

The expert further claimed that both doping and the current anti-doping system can harm sport by unfairly branding athletes as "cheats".

Read More: Why Sleeping Pill Addiction Is Common Among Football Players

Concerns Over Athlete Welfare

Dr Chandran also argued that the current anti-doping framework places an excessive burden on athletes. "Over the years, WADA has grown into a monster which destroys the career of athletes and imposes sanctions which may last a lifetime," he said.

He added that frequent testing interferes with athletes' privacy, training schedules and competitions while causing mental distress and financial hardship.

According to Dr Chandran, increasing numbers of athletes are being sanctioned for using commonly prescribed medicines, including cough syrups, diabetes medications, blood pressure drugs and diuretics. He also pointed to India's high number of anti-doping sanctions in recent years as evidence that the current system requires reform.

A Growing Debate

The experts acknowledged the importance of protecting athletes and preserving fair competition.

Dr Kajal called for retaining anti-doping testing while making it more athlete-friendly through improved mental health support and flexible implementation. Dr Chandran, meanwhile, believes the scientific basis and proportionality of WADA's rules should be fundamentally reassessed.

India today unveiled a wide-ranging package of healthcare initiatives aimed at strengthening maternal and child health, expanding digital health services, improving emergency medical care and accelerating efforts to tackle anemia.

The new programs, operational guidelines and digital platforms were launched by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda at the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW).

"A developed India cannot be achieved without a healthy India," said Nadda, while describing healthcare as one of the most important pillars of the country's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He also stressed that states are equal partners in strengthening India's health system.

Here's a look at the initiatives launched.

SUMAN Roadmap 2030

The SUMAN Roadmap 2030 is a strategic framework to improve maternal and newborn healthcare and help India achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The roadmap adopts a life-cycle approach covering pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period while integrating child health, adolescent health, family planning and nutrition programs.

It also aims to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 through better identification and management of high-risk pregnancies.

Also read: Mid-Day Meal Row In India: Doctors Explain Why Eggs Matter For Children's Growth And Development

Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK)

The Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) is a unified program providing home and community-based care for children from birth to 36 months.

The initiative merges the existing Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) programs. Children identified as "at-risk," including those born prematurely, with low birth weight or developmental delays, will receive additional home visits and closer monitoring.

Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

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The revised Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan guidelines shift the program from preventive care to therapeutic management through a 7x7x7 strategy and a Test, Treat, Talk and Track (T4) approach.

The updated framework expands beneficiary coverage, promotes iron-rich diets, strengthens digital tracking and introduces intravenous iron therapy for severe anemia among pregnant and lactating women.

National Ambulance Services Guidelines

Nadda also unveiled the National Ambulance Services (NAS) Operational Guidelines 2026, the country's first comprehensive framework for ambulance services.

The guidelines standardize ambulance categories, equipment, staffing, training and quality monitoring while promoting GPS-enabled tracking, integrated command centers and future integration with the national emergency helpline 112.

Digital Health Initiatives

Read To Know: Aarogya Setu 2.0, AI Health Records, WhatsApp Services: Centre's Big Healthcare Push Explained

The minister launched a slew of digital health platforms, including:

• Aarogya Setu 2.0,
• the Ayushman App,
• Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot,
• Unified Health Interface (UHI),
• Drug Registry,
• National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX),
• e-Sushrut Clinic, Common LOINC Codes for India (CLCI)
• Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS).

Developed by the National Health Authority and the National Resource Centre for EHR Standards, these initiatives aim to improve access to healthcare, ensure seamless exchange of health information and make services more integrated, efficient and citizen-centric.

Calling the launches "a significant milestone," Nadda said the initiatives build on flagship programs such as Ayushman Bharat and will help strengthen healthcare delivery through greater digital innovation and connectivity.