Podcast Summary:

The mindbodygreen Podcast, Episode 634
A Cardiologist’s Guide to Mind-Body Medicine
Guest: Dr. Tara Narula, M.D.
Host: Jason Wachob
Date: January 25, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Jason Wachob sits down with Dr. Tara Narula, a board-certified cardiologist, professor, journalist, and author of The Healing Power of Resilience. Together, they explore the crucial mind-body connection in medicine, particularly how psychological wellbeing and resilience shape patient recovery and outcomes—sometimes as much as physical interventions or medications. Dr. Narula emphasizes resilience training as a vital but often-overlooked element in patient care, details the science behind resilience, and shares practical tools anyone can use to strengthen their capacity to thrive after health setbacks.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Missing Link: Psychological Wellbeing in Medicine

• Traditional Cardiology vs. Mind-Body Medicine
  • Most cardiology focuses on metrics like cholesterol and blood pressure, neglecting mental and emotional health.
    • “That's kind of would be considered the gold standard if you go to a good cardiologist, but there’s no mention of, like, what's going on in the rest of your life.” (03:21, Jason)
  • Dr. Narula makes a point to always ask about stress and mental health, noting it rarely happens in standard care (03:55).
• Trauma of Diagnosis
  • Receiving a diagnosis itself can be traumatic and life-upending, yet it’s rarely acknowledged in the medical system.
    • “All of these diagnoses, these procedures...that is a traumatic experience. And we just don't talk about that in medicine the same way we talk about other forms of trauma.” (05:14, Dr. Narula)
  • Dr. Narula stresses teaching resilience skills at the moment of diagnosis to arm patients with agency over their futures (06:44).

Patient Story: Transformational Resilience (08:03)

• Dr. Narula shares the journey of a patient who overcame a series of health and personal setbacks—including heart disease, diabetes, family challenges—by focusing on taking control and building resilience:
  • Lost weight, controlled diabetes, became a marathoner despite ongoing heart issues.
  • “He ended up having the word resilience tattooed on his arm... because he is the true definition of resilience.” (09:11, Dr. Narula)

Building Resilience: Eight Practical Tools

The Essential Role of Acceptance (10:15)

• Acceptance is the first and foundational tool; without coming to terms with a diagnosis or event, making meaningful changes is nearly impossible.
  • “That change in mindset of saying, I accept that this is not what I wanted, but I’m going to make peace with it, that is really the beginning of opening the door to resilience.” (11:16, Dr. Narula)
  • Dr. Narula shares her personal crisis of vision loss in medical school, underscoring the power of acceptance and the Serenity Prayer (11:44).

Spirituality and Mindset Shift (12:40–15:30)

• Spirituality, or whatever sense of purpose or meaning people draw from, is a potent anchor in resilience-building.
  • “There is an evolving field in medicine that says we should be...taking a spiritual history of patients and asking them, what is your faith?...That plays into how someone can recover.” (13:03, Dr. Narula)
• Even non-religious individuals benefit from reframing, moving from “why me?” to “what can I learn from this?” (14:50, Jason).

Flexible Thinking (15:30)

• After acceptance comes adaptability—the ability to move the “goalposts” and envision new futures.
  • “You still have your goals... but they’re just moved a little bit and you’re in control of that.” (16:28, Dr. Narula)

Hope and Purpose (16:42–19:02, 45:49)

• Hope is critical; never take it away from patients.
  • “Never, ever take away hope from a patient.” (From Dr. Narula’s medical school teacher, 18:04)
• Purpose is equally vital as a driver during tough times; helps people endure and overcome (45:49).

How Doctors Should Give a Diagnosis (19:02–20:36)

• Communicate what is known, what’s unknown, and what’s in the patient’s control, without removing hope for recovery or stability.

The Impact of Declining Trust in Medicine (20:36–21:44)

• With U.S. trust in healthcare providers declining, Dr. Narula emphasizes the continuing importance of compassion, transparency, and communication that technology can’t replace.

The Interplay of Physical and Mental Health (21:44–29:47)

• Physical Health as Medicine:
  • Exercise, diet, sleep, and avoiding toxic substances remain foundational for resilience and recovery.
    • “All of these little baby steps ultimately build up your strength... You release those myokines or hope molecules, you release endorphins, you turn off cortisol.” (24:43–25:11, Dr. Narula)
• The Power of Exercise:
  • Physical feats—like tough workouts—bolster mental strength and remind people of their capacity to overcome (25:11–26:38).
• Mental Health as Foundation:
  • Most patients initially report emotional stress, anxiety, depression, or caregiving burdens as their biggest hurdles—not symptoms or numbers (26:38–29:47).
    • “When you ask me what I think is killing people the most, I will say in my opinion it is all of the mental stuff that is happening to people.” (27:22, Dr. Narula)
  • Therapy is crucial; Dr. Narula personally champions its value for everyone.

The Science of Stress and Resilience (29:47–35:11)

• Chronic and acute stress have direct, measurable impacts on the body—including causing heart attacks (“stress-induced cardiomyopathy”). Emerging imaging now lets doctors show patients the physical toll of stress.
  • “This is the best evidence of a sort of an acute trauma and the real impact that can have on the body.” (31:18, Dr. Narula)
• Humans are innately resilient, but resilience can be taught and strengthened, just like a muscle (32:42–35:11).
  • Dr. Narula calls for hospitals to integrate resilience training alongside standard care.

Daily Practice & The Importance of Social Support (35:11–37:30)

• Social support—friends, groups, community—is a crucial preemptive resilience-builder; isolation increases vulnerability.
  • “We are not meant to be like insular, isolated human beings. We are meant to have other people in our lives that can help us.” (35:39, Dr. Narula)
• Noted that men are, on average, less likely to maintain these connections and are at higher risk when alone.

Gender Differences and Women’s Heart Health (38:46–41:05)

• Women often ignore or misattribute heart symptoms and are frequently misdiagnosed.
  • “For many women, it's just fatigue... that might be the only sign of heart disease.” (39:48)
  • Dr. Narula emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and continued medical education on women’s symptoms.

Genetics vs. Lifestyle (41:05–43:16)

• Heart disease is multifactorial; both lifestyle behaviors and genetics play profound roles. A combination approach is essential. “All of it matters.” (42:08, Dr. Narula)

Dr. Narula’s Personal Game-Changers (43:47)

• Regular therapy for mental health was her most transformative addition.
  • “For me, therapy has really been life changing in terms of my ability to handle things that have happened to me in my personal life, in my professional life.” (44:45, Dr. Narula)
  • She encourages patients to seek therapy not only for depression but for support and emotional release.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the role of resilience:
  “We can’t treat the physical without treating the mental.” (02:24, Dr. Narula)
• On hope:
  “Never, ever take away hope from a patient.” (18:04, Dr. Narula quoting her mentor)
• On the biggest killer:
  “In my opinion, it is all of the mental stuff that is happening to people.” (27:22, Dr. Narula)
• On resilience as teachable:
  “We are innately resilient… we are wired to survive.” (32:42, Dr. Narula) “We have the ability to teach you how to do that.” (34:40, Dr. Narula)
• On purpose as a motivator:
  “Never give up hope. Never give up your vision. Never give up your purpose.” (46:25, Dr. Narula)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:09 — Introduction to resilience as a crucial differentiator in medical outcomes
• 03:55 — Integrating mental health in cardiology and the trauma of diagnosis
• 08:03 — Patient story: a case study in transformational resilience
• 10:15 — The essential role of acceptance in recovery
• 12:40 — Spirituality and its role in healing
• 15:30 — Flexible thinking
• 16:42 — Hope and purpose as foundations of resilience
• 19:02 — On best practices for giving a diagnosis
• 21:44 — The importance of lifestyle and physical health habits
• 26:38 — The prominence of mental/emotional challenges among patients
• 29:47 — The physiological impact of stress and the science behind mind-body links
• 32:42 — The innate resilience of humans and potential for resilience training
• 35:11 — The importance of social connection and preemptively building support systems
• 38:46 — Women’s cardiovascular health and risk of misdiagnosis
• 41:05 — Genetics, lifestyle, and the impossibility of a single-cause explanation
• 43:47 — Dr. Narula’s own journey with therapy and its benefits
• 45:49 — Closing thoughts on purpose as a sustaining force

Final Thoughts

Dr. Narula makes a compelling case for integrating resilience training into standard medical care—not as an “extra,” but as a necessity for optimal healing. Her practical tools, personal and patient stories, and professional insights build a roadmap for anyone aiming to strengthen their mind-body health, whether facing a current diagnosis or preparing for whatever life brings next. The conversation underscores that true whole-body health addresses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs equally.