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physiological standpoint, heart health is very much dependent upon two aspects of the artery: its elasticity and openness. The more flexible the artery, the better able it is to relax and tighten in response to the body's demands. The more open the artery, the greater the blood flow. The more plaque, the more the blood flow is restricted. It is understood that plaque forms in response to an injury to the artery wall. Harmful dietary and environmental factors can cause such an injury. The injury elicits an inflammatory response. Part of this response includes platelet aggregation around the injury.

Consider that there is an analogous process occurring at the psychological level. Picture the mind as an artery. Flowing through the mind is information. Like the artery, the mind functions best when it is flexible and open.

First you must realize that aging well takes planning. If you are reading this article right now you are deserve a pat on the back for being a small percentage of the population that is looking ahead, and preparing for their future. Many people are not prepared for the complications that can happen as we age, or prefer to turn a blind eye. It is important none the less to prepare for tomorrow, by living better today. Preparation is like money in the bank, so that you can live a wonderful long healthy life, and really enjoy it.

Why do you need to prepare to live longer? Wear and tear to your body; it is the expected progression of aging. Research data illustrates that a number in the range of 88% of American Citizens over 65 years of age are suffering from at least one chronic medical condition and Australia statistics states at about half their populous over 65 suffer with a long term health condition. These are the facts, and unfortunately most people accept that a chronic health condition is part of aging, but what if you could prevent many of them?

The mind compares new information with stored information assumed to be true (beliefs). A flexible mind can adjust beliefs to accommodate new information. A rigid mind establishes defense mechanisms in order to maintain its faulty beliefs. Psychological defenses filter and restrict the flow of information.

Invalidating experiences are perceived by the mind as threatening. They injure the mind the way harmful dietary or environmental factors damage the walls of the artery. Just as plaque forms to repair an injury to the artery wall, defense mechanisms arise to protect the mind from perceived insults.

The injury to the artery wall elicits an inflammatory response. The insult to the mind elicits inflammatory emotions. Just as platelets accumulate at the source of the injury to the artery wall, defenses are found wherever invalidation occurs. Just as plaque restricts blood flow through the arteries, inflammatory emotions inhibit the mind from processing information. The connection between Inflammatory emotions and heart disease is well known.