Healing the Heart
Why Heart Health Matters in Recovery
Posted: 2/5/2026
Written by: Alexander Walker
February is Heart Health Month
When most people think of heart health, they picture cholesterol, blood pressure, and exercise.
But if you’re in recovery—from addiction, trauma, or chronic illness—heart health takes on a deeper meaning. It’s not just about the physical. It’s emotional. Mental. Spiritual.
And for many patients we work with, it’s the first time in years the heart is being cared for at all.
💔 How Recovery Impacts the Heart
Years of stress, substance use, pain, and survival mode leave a mark. The heart—literally and metaphorically—bears the weight.
Opioid and alcohol use can strain cardiovascular systems
Long-term stress can raise blood pressure and inflammation
Sleep deprivation, trauma, and depression all chip away at heart resilience
But here’s the powerful part: healing starts as soon as you do.
When you begin recovery, you’re not just healing the brain or the body.
You’re rebuilding the heart.
❤️ What Heart Health Really Looks Like
You don’t need to be a marathon runner or a salad-eater of the year.
Heart health in recovery is about:
Creating safe, sober routines
Eating when you’re supposed to
Moving your body in ways that feel good
Sleeping through the night
Learning to say no without guilt
Lowering stress without relying on old habits
Every time you set a boundary, go to therapy, call a sponsor, skip a trigger, or just take a breath—you’re doing heart work.
🔄 Recovery Is Heart Work
Think about the word recovery.
It’s not a sprint. It’s a rhythm. A beat. A steady return to who you were always meant to be.
And the heart is central to that rhythm.
This month, as America shines a spotlight on cardiovascular health, we invite you to see your recovery journey as part of that celebration.
💡 Heart Tips for February (and Beyond)
Drink water — hydration reduces blood pressure and helps healing
Walk a little every day — movement boosts mood and heart function
Practice calm — meditation, prayer, or deep breathing all help
Connect — loneliness stresses the heart; relationships mend it
Forgive yourself often — shame weighs more than cholesterol
💬 Final Thought
You may not see it right away.
But your heart is already healing — every time you choose recovery.
This month, take a moment to thank it.
It’s been through a lot.
And it’s still beating.
Need support?
We’re here — whether it’s telehealth, guidance, or just someone to talk to.
Dr. Rodney Brunson & the Brunson Telehealth Team
Serving New Jersey with care, compassion, and connection.