How can massage therapy support heart disease patients?

Massage therapy can support heart disease patients primarily by promoting relaxation and aiding in stress management. This is particularly significant because stress and anxiety can exacerbate heart conditions. By inducing a state of relaxation, massage therapy can help reduce physiological stress responses, such as elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which are crucial factors for individuals managing heart disease.

The soothing touch of massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a decrease in cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and an increase in feelings of well-being. This holistic approach not only supports emotional health but also has beneficial effects on physical health, potentially leading to improved heart health outcomes.

While the other choices touch on relevant aspects of health and massage, they do not encapsulate the primary benefit massage therapy provides to heart disease patients. For instance, increasing heart rate during treatment is counterproductive for someone with heart issues, and although massage can influence pain relief and has some effect on the cardiovascular system, it does not exclusively target it or serve primarily as a pain relief method in this context.