Chocolate, wine and romance aren’t just the quickest ways to your true love’s heart. A University of Michigan Health System cardiologist says these Valentine’s Day traditions are also the way to a healthy heart.

“The spirit of Valentine’s Day, with intimacy, a little wine, some chocolate, bringing home flowers or sweets, is a tradition we should follow throughout the year. It’s one day of celebration that we should continue on a daily basis,” says Melvyn Rubenfire, M.D., director of Preventive Cardiology.

“The intimacy and spiritual relationships or connections that one can have with their significant other are very important to your health – cardiovascular and otherwise. Longevity and the feeling of health and wellness are all promoted by the Valentine’s Day spirit,” says Rubenfire.

There’s good evidence to show that regular sexual activity is beneficial for both men and women, he says. Research has shown that, for men, having sex at least three times per week cuts the risk of stroke and heart attack in half. In addition, a satisfying, emotionally intimate relationship seems to be a key ingredient in our overall health.

“It’s very important to realize that support systems and social relationships are very important to our wellness. We’ve all heard of the married couples who are married for many, many, years and when one of them dies, the other dies shortly thereafter,” he says.

Rubenfire attributes this to the fact that there is a lot of evidence that suggests people who are ill but who have a good support system through a spouse, friends or family, live longer than people who don’t. 

 Other news