GUEST BLOG: Healthier Futures Through Mental and Maternal Health

By Kennedy Stanley, American Heart Association Heart Powered Advocate

When most people think about heart health, they think about diet, exercise, or family history. Rarely do we think about stress, anxiety, or emotional wellbeing. Mental health plays a powerful role in the health of our hearts.

The truth is that our minds and bodies are deeply connected. Conditions such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional strain can negatively affect cardiovascular health and increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Mental health is not separate from physical health. It is a major part of it.

As someone who lives with anxiety disorders, I understand firsthand how deeply mental health can affect every aspect of life. For years, I silently battled racing thoughts, overwhelming worry, panic, and the pressure to appear “fine” even when I felt mentally and emotionally exhausted. Like many people, I focused on pushing through instead of slowing down and recognizing how much stress was impacting my body.

Over time, I learned that anxiety affects far more than emotions alone. Chronic stress and anxiety can increase heart rate and blood pressure, disrupt sleep, elevate stress hormones, and place additional strain on the body over time.

Mental health challenges can also make healthy habits more difficult to maintain. When someone is emotionally overwhelmed, it can become harder to prioritize exercise, nutrition, sleep, and routine medical care. Those effects add up. When left unaddressed, chronic stress and poor mental health can contribute to long-term cardiovascular problems and negatively impact overall quality of life.

My experiences have also shaped my passion for maternal health advocacy. As a future OB-GYN, I hope to care for women throughout some of the most important moments of their lives. Through my work with the American Heart Association, I have learned that maternal health and mental health are deeply connected, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

For many moms, the weeks and months after giving birth can bring significant physical, emotional, and mental health challenges. Yet too many mothers lose access to healthcare coverage during a critical time when ongoing support is needed. In Arkansas, extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to twelve months would help ensure more women can access the care they need, including mental health services, follow-up appointments, and treatment for conditions that can impact both maternal and cardiovascular health.

When we invest in maternal health, we are investing in healthier families, healthier communities, and healthier futures. Supporting mothers means supporting both their physical and mental wellbeing, because the two cannot be separated.

The more we openly discuss mental health, the more we create space for healing, support, and prevention.

For many young people, conversations surrounding stress and mental health are often minimized or overlooked. We are taught to keep pushing through exhaustion and fear, hide anxiety behind a smile, and continue performing no matter how overwhelmed we may feel internally.

But constantly operating in survival mode takes a toll—not only on the mind, but on the heart as well.

Protecting our heart health includes caring for ourselves emotionally and mentally. Our hearts and minds work together, and we cannot fully care for one without caring for the other.

Every step toward better mental health also supports a healthier heart.

As Arkansas prepares for the 2027 legislative session, we have an opportunity to create meaningful change for mothers and families across our state. The policies we champion today can improve health outcomes for years to come, but that progress depends on people who are willing to speak up and share their stories.

Whether you are passionate about mental health, maternal health, heart health, or simply building a healthier Arkansas, your voice matters. Together, we can advocate for policies that support mothers, improve access to care, and help ensure every family has the opportunity to thrive. I hope you’ll add your voice to this movement and help us create a healthier future for all Arkansans. Get started HERE.