A Matter of the Heart

Don’t let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries.

— Astrid Alauda

Thank goodness for medical emergency response teams—and for Western medicine. Five years ago, I found myself in the right place at the right time when my cardiovascular system was unexpectedly put to the test. I’m deeply grateful for skilled clinicians, modern diagnostics and rapid care. Just as importantly, I was fortunate to be in good overall health at the time. My heart was strong then and remains healthy today—a reminder that preparation, prevention and partnership in care truly matter.

That experience has stayed with me, and it’s one reason we’re especially excited to share this month’s heart-centered issue. February invites us to think about love, but the most enduring love affair we’ll ever have may be the one we cultivate with our own hearts. Inside these pages, you’ll discover that heart health isn’t built on a single heroic act—it’s shaped by daily choices that gently, consistently add up.

This month’s feature explores what it means to live a whole-hearted life, weaving together nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, optimism and connection as essential ingredients for cardiovascular well-being. Alongside regular heart checkups and appropriate medical care, many of the most powerful tools for heart health remain within our control: what we eat, how we move, how we rest, how we breathe—and how we relate to ourselves and others.

I’m especially struck by the growing evidence linking emotional well-being and heart health. Chronic stress, isolation and pessimism can quietly strain the cardiovascular system, while mindfulness, optimism, social connection and purpose can quite literally help the heart relax and thrive. The heart, it seems, listens closely to how we live.

None of this suggests abandoning proven medical treatments when they’re needed—far from it. Instead, it invites a broader, kinder approach. A walk outside. A shared meal. A few mindful breaths. A good night’s sleep. A phone call to someone we love. These aren’t small gestures; they’re acts of care that speak directly to the biology of the heart.

As you explore this issue, I hope you feel encouraged—not overwhelmed—by the possibilities. Nurturing the heart doesn’t require perfection. It asks only for attention, compassion and a willingness to choose a little more balance, a little more joy and a little more connection each day.

Here’s to caring for our hearts in every sense of the word—and to feeling good, living simply and laughing more.

Wholeheartedly,

Dave Korba, Publisher