Lifestyle coach explains oxytocin’s role in heart health and emotional well-being

Integrative lifestyle expert Luke Coutinho has highlighted the role of oxytocin in heart health and emotional wellbeing in a Valentine’s Day post shared on Instagram, describing the hormone as a powerful but often overlooked form of medicine.

Coutinho said heart health is usually measured through numbers such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, but the human connection plays a critical role that does not show up in medical reports. He explained that emotions trigger chemical changes in the body and that feelings such as love, safety, and belonging act as biological signals.

In his post, Coutinho said love is not just emotional but biological, adding that science supports the link between connection and physical health. Oxytocin, which functions as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter, is released through experiences such as touch, emotional closeness, and a sense of belonging.

According to Coutinho, research shows that oxytocin can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve heart rate variability, calm the nervous system, and reduce inflammation. He said these effects help the heart function better over time.

He also drew attention to the health risks associated with loneliness, stating that social isolation has been linked to higher inflammation, elevated blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular risk. In contrast, meaningful connections act as a protective factor.

Coutinho explained that oxytocin activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports rest and recovery. He said this response signals safety to the body, allowing the heart to slow down and heal.

He suggested simple ways to naturally boost oxytocin, including hugging, holding hands, making eye contact, spending time with pets, laughing together, and practicing kindness. Coutinho added that patients with strong emotional connections often recover faster, stressing that healing involves more than medicine alone.

He concluded by saying that connection does not require a romantic partner and can come from friends, family, or pets, reinforcing that heart health is shaped by trust, presence, and human connection.