Take Heart: How Hypnotherapy Can Support Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s leading cause of death, encompassing conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. It’s estimated that 1 in 12 people live with a heart or circulatory condition, which collectively account for approximately 1 in 3 deaths globally.

While hypnotherapy is not a cure for CVD, it offers evidence-based benefits that complement medical and surgical treatments. Alongside lifestyle changes, hypnotherapy can empower individuals to take control of their health and potentially improve outcomes.

Why Consider Hypnotherapy?

Managing CVD involves addressing risk factors such as smoking, diet, alcohol consumption, and stress. Hypnotherapy excels in helping individuals make these crucial lifestyle changes, often reinforcing other medical interventions.

The great news is that hypnotherapy’s benefits often extend beyond cardiovascular health — helping you feel better overall. It’s a win-win approach.

How Hypnotherapy Helps

1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

   Stress exacerbates cardiovascular issues by overstimulating the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight-or-flight” mode). Hypnosis promotes relaxation by shifting the autonomic nervous system toward the parasympathetic state — the body’s “rest-and-digest” mode. Reduced stress not only improves heart health but enhances overall well-being.

2. Supports Lifestyle Changes

   - Quit Smoking and Reduce Alcohol Consumption: Hypnotherapy has a strong track record in supporting smoking cessation and reducing alcohol intake, both major risk factors for CVD.

   - Adopt Healthy Habits: Whether it’s maintaining a balanced diet or engaging in regular physical activity, hypnotherapy helps overcome mental barriers to lasting change.

3. Eases the Stress of Diagnosis or Treatment

   Receiving a CVD diagnosis can lead to stress-related unhealthy habits — just when positive changes are most critical. Hypnotherapy helps reframe challenges and strengthen your motivation to make better choices.

4. Pre- and Post-Surgical Support

   If surgery is part of your CVD treatment plan, hypnotherapy can reduce preoperative anxiety and enhance postoperative recovery. Research suggests that lower stress levels boost the immune response, aiding the body’s healing process.

5. Manages Pain and Discomfort

   Hypnotherapy is proven to help manage both acute and chronic pain, providing a helpful complement to your pain medication during recovery or ongoing care.

6. Improves Blood Pressure

   Studies have demonstrated that hypnotherapy can significantly reduce high blood pressure. For example, participants in one study experienced an average drop of 9 mmHg (systolic) and 7 mmHg (diastolic) after seven therapy sessions combined with self-hypnosis exercises. Importantly, these benefits were sustained a year later.

Your Health, Your Choice

It’s never too early — or too late — to take proactive steps for your cardiovascular health. Hypnotherapy offers an integrative approach that not only addresses specific risk factors but also boosts your overall well-being. Why not give your heart the care it deserves?

NOTE: This article is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis and treatment. Hypnotherapy for cardiovascular disease must follow formal diagnosis and be complementary to your medical treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please see your doctor.

References

Leo Donato Giuseppe , Keller Simon S. , Proietti Riccardo. “Close your eyes and relax”: the role of hypnosis in reducing anxiety, and its implications for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.” Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 15, 2024/

Deabler, H. L., Fidel, E., Dillenkoffer, R. L., & Elder, S. T. (1973). The Use of Relaxation and Hypnosis in Lowering High Blood Pressure. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 16(2), 75–83.

Gay, M. C. (2007). “Effectiveness of Hypnosis in Reducing Mild Essential Hypertension: A One-Year Follow-Up : Marie-Claire Gay.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 67–83.

Trevor Thompson, Devin B. Terhune, Charlotte Oram, Joseph Sharangparni, Rommana Rouf, Marco Solmi, Nicola Veronese, Brendon Stubbs. “The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials”, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 99, 2019.

Hızlı F, Özcan O, Selvi İ, Eraslan P, Köşüş A, Baş O, Yıkılmaz TN, Güven O, Başar H. “The effects of hypnotherapy during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy for pain and anxiety.” Int Urol Nephrol, 2015.

Levine, G.N. et al. “Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.” AHA/ASA Journals, Volume 143, 2021.