Heart treatment is incomplete if you ignore this vital link: Cardiologist reveals a crucial connection for lasting health

You can’t treat the heart without healing the mind — that’s the message U.S.-based cardiologist and heart transplant surgeon Dr. Dmitry Yaranov is driving home in a recent Instagram post that has resonated with thousands. Known online as @heart_transplant_doc, Dr. Yaranov revealed new findings from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), drawing attention to a connection doctors say is too often ignored: the one between mental and cardiac health.

The Silent Link Doctors Often Overlook
In his post titled “The silent link between your mind and heart no one talks about,” Dr. Yaranov explained how mental health directly affects the heart’s well-being. “When you’re stressed, anxious, or depressed, your body releases hormones that raise blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation,” he wrote. Over time, he noted, this hormonal response can cause heart disease, heart failure, or even heart attacks.

What’s more startling is that the relationship works both ways. “Living with heart disease can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems,” he added, emphasizing that emotional strain and cardiac complications often feed into each other, creating a dangerous cycle if left untreated.

Citing the latest data from the European Society of Cardiology, Dr. Yaranov highlighted new recommendations that could redefine how doctors approach heart treatment across the world. The ESC now suggests that:

• Every heart patient should be screened for mental health issues.
• Every person with depression or anxiety should be checked for potential heart disease.
• Every care team should ideally include both cardiologists and mental health professionals working together.

Dr. Yaranov summed it up powerfully: “Treating the heart without treating the mind is only half the job.”

A Mindful Approach to Heart Health
Medical experts have long known that chronic stress and poor mental health can take a physical toll, but the ESC’s confirmation of this link marks a major step in global cardiac care. The new approach advocates holistic healing — not just managing heart rhythms and cholesterol, but addressing anxiety, burnout, and emotional fatigue that silently strain the cardiovascular system.

Dr. Yaranov’s message serves as a wake-up call for both patients and physicians: a healthy heart begins with a calm mind. As lifestyle diseases surge among younger adults, integrating psychological care into cardiology could become the next frontier in preventive medicine.