Activities of the Heart and Brain during Love

The brain sends signals to the adrenal gland, causing it to secrete hormones such as adrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine which will flow through blood causing the heart to beat faster and stronger. These same hormones are the same as the ones activated during flight responses or during a workout. The article also mentions that in cases of heart problems such as blood vessel blockages, the heart rate can lead to a heart attack.

Even when thinking back on the thought of the significant other, the effects of the hormones can still cause the blood rate to go up. Another unique feature of some hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin is that they may linger in the body causing continued effects of love. For example, a one night stand may lead to more due to the lingering effect of the one night stand causing the person to feel responsible for the activity.

Also, it was shown that romantic love can last for years, despite popular belief that it dies after a varying amount of years. This was shown in the same hormone production of those married for 20 years as opposed to only a few.

Lastly, it was also shown that romance is a good thing. Those with romance have lived longer and healthier lives with fewer heart problems and lower blood pressures.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/12/love.heart.brain/index.html?hpt=C2