Women, Solar Flares, and Heart Attacks


A groundbreaking study just published in Communications Medicine has uncovered a shocking connection between solar storms and heart attacks that disproportionately affects women. If you’re a woman—especially over 60—what happens 93 million miles away on our sun could literally be breaking your heart.

When the spectacular aurora borealis lit up skies as far south as Puerto Rico last year, most of us marveled at the beauty. Few realized those colorful lights signaled a potentially deadly risk for millions of women worldwide.

I’ve spent years studying the connection between heart health and cosmic influences, but even I was stunned by the implications of this new research. The evidence is clear and undeniable: women’s hearts are uniquely vulnerable to solar storms, and this knowledge could save lives—perhaps yours or someone you love.

Women, Solar Flares, and Heart Attacks: 10 Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Precious Heart

The Startling Discovery: Women’s Hearts at Higher Risk

The recent study from Brazil analyzed 1,340 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction between 1998 and 2005. Researchers meticulously categorized days as geomagnetically “quiet,” “moderate,” or “disturbed” based on planetary geomagnetic index data.

Here’s what they discovered:

While men experienced more heart attacks overall (871 men versus 469 women), women showed a dramatically disproportionate increase during geomagnetically disturbed days. In fact, for women over 60, the number of heart attacks during solar storms actually exceeded those of men—despite men having nearly twice as many heart attacks overall.

This isn’t a statistical anomaly. It’s a pattern with life-or-death implications.

“The rate of relative frequency of MI cases during disturbed geomagnetic conditions is almost three times greater compared to quiet geomagnetic conditions,” the researchers concluded, noting that “women may exhibit a higher susceptibility to the effects of geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity.”

In simpler terms: when the sun flares, women’s hearts are at significantly greater risk.

The Science Behind the Solar-Heart Connection

To understand why this happens, we need to recognize that our hearts are electromagnetic organs—in fact, the heart generates the body’s strongest electromagnetic field, measurable up to several feet away from your body.

The HeartMath Institute has conducted pioneering research into this phenomenon for decades. Their long-term study with the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center found that geomagnetic and solar activity directly impacts our autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls vital functions including heart rate and rhythm.

When solar storms trigger geomagnetic disturbances on Earth, they create ripples through the planet’s magnetic field. These ripples can disrupt the delicate electromagnetic balance of our hearts and nervous systems, potentially triggering:

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
  • Blood pressure fluctuations
  • Changes in heart rate variability (a key indicator of heart health)
  • Increased inflammation in cardiovascular tissues
  • Disrupted melatonin production affecting sleep and heart recovery
  • Altered calcium channel function in heart cells

Women’s hearts appear particularly sensitive to these disruptions—possibly due to differences in hormonal profiles, autonomic nervous system function, or the electrical properties of female heart tissue.

My Personal Encounter with Solar Heart Effects

This cosmic-cardiac connection isn’t just theoretical for me. Several years ago, I experienced it firsthand in a way I’ll never forget.

I was sitting quietly at my computer writing when suddenly my heart began racing uncontrollably. The sensation was alarming but not painful. Rather than panic, I paused, placed my hand on my heart, and breathed deeply into my chest. After the episode subsided, curiosity led me to check solar activity reports online.

What I discovered astonished me: at that exact time, the first of six major solar storms had just struck Earth’s magnetosphere. This wasn’t coincidence—it was confirmation of the profound connection between solar activity and heart function.

10 Powerful Protection Strategies to Shield Your Heart During Solar Storms

While you can’t control space weather, you can take specific actions to strengthen your cardiovascular resilience during solar events. Here are evidence-based strategies that may help protect your heart:

1. Track Solar Activity Like Your Life Depends on It

Knowledge is your first line of defense. Solar forecasting has become increasingly sophisticated, allowing you to prepare for incoming storms:

When you know a geomagnetic event is approaching, you can implement the protective measures below with greater diligence.

2. Practice Grounding (Earth Connection)

Grounding—physically connecting your body to the Earth’s surface—may be one of the most powerful protections against geomagnetic disruption. The Earth’s surface carries a negative electrical charge that can help stabilize your body’s electrical systems during solar disturbances.

Research in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health suggests that grounding can reduce inflammation, improve heart rate variability, and help regulate the autonomic nervous system—all critical factors during solar storms.

Try these grounding practices:

  • Walk barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or concrete for at least 20 minutes daily (natural surfaces work best)
  • Use a grounding mat or sheet while sleeping during active solar periods
  • Swim in natural bodies of water like oceans, lakes, or rivers
  • Garden with your bare hands in direct contact with soil
  • Hug trees (yes, really—they’re excellent electrical conductors to Earth)

For maximum benefit, combine grounding with conscious breathing:

  • While grounded, place one hand on your heart
  • Breathe slowly (5 counts in, 5 counts out)
  • Visualize roots extending from your feet into the Earth
  • Feel the stable energy of Earth flowing up through your body

3. Master Heart Coherence Through HeartMath Techniques

The HeartMath Institute has developed specific techniques to create “heart coherence”—a measurable state where heart rhythm patterns become more ordered, enhancing communication between the heart and brain.

Research shows that heart coherence can buffer the effects of external electromagnetic influences on the autonomic nervous system. The basic Heart-Focused Breathing technique includes:

  • Focus your attention on the area around your heart
  • Breathe slowly and deeply, as if breathing through your heart
  • Generate a positive feeling like appreciation, care, or love
  • Maintain this state for 5-15 minutes

For enhanced protection during solar storms, practice this technique 2-3 times daily. Consider investing in HeartMath’s Inner Balance or emWave2 devices, which provide real-time feedback on your heart coherence levels.

4. Optimize Magnesium Levels

Magnesium is crucial for heart rhythm regulation and electrical signaling. During geomagnetic disturbances, having optimal magnesium levels provides a protective effect against arrhythmias.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that magnesium deficiency increases susceptibility to stress and electromagnetic influences—exactly what happens during solar storms.

To boost your magnesium:

  • Eat magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, black beans, and dark chocolate
  • Consider magnesium glycinate or magnesium taurate supplements (consult your healthcare provider first)
  • Use transdermal magnesium oil or take magnesium baths with Epsom salts
  • Get regular blood tests to monitor your levels, aiming for the upper range of normal

5. Reduce EMF Exposure During Solar Storms

During active geomagnetic periods, additional electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure may compound effects on your heart. Consider:

  • Creating an EMF-free sleep sanctuary (no electronics in the bedroom)
  • Using wired connections instead of WiFi when possible
  • Taking regular breaks from all electronic devices
  • Turning off your cell phone or switching to airplane mode when not needed
  • Using EMF-shielding products for essential devices

6. Hydration with Electrolytes

Proper hydration is essential for electrical conduction in the heart. Electrolytes (especially potassium, sodium, and magnesium) help maintain proper heart rhythm and are even more important during geomagnetic disturbances:

  • Drink filtered water with a pinch of high-quality salt throughout the day
  • Consume natural electrolyte sources like coconut water or celery juice
  • Make a homemade electrolyte drink with water, lemon, salt, and a small amount of honey
  • Reduce dehydrating substances like alcohol and excessive caffeine
  • Monitor your urine color (pale yellow indicates good hydration)

7. Take Heart-Protective Adaptogens

Certain adaptogenic herbs have been shown to protect the cardiovascular system during periods of stress, potentially including electromagnetic stress:

  • Hawthorn: Traditionally used to strengthen heart function and regulate rhythm
  • Reishi mushroom: Helps modulate immune response and reduce inflammation
  • Ashwagandha: Supports adrenal function and stress response
  • Holy Basil (Tulsi): Protects against oxidative stress and supports heart health
  • Hibiscus: Naturally lowers blood pressure and supports healthy cholesterol levels while providing antioxidant protection

Work with an experienced herbalist or naturopathic doctor to find the right combination for your specific needs.

8. Strengthen Your Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve functions as a communication highway between your heart, brain, and gut. Strengthening vagal tone helps regulate heart rate and may buffer the effects of geomagnetic disturbances:

  • Practice slow-paced breathing (6 breaths per minute)
  • Engage in cold exposure (like ending your shower with 30 seconds of cold water)
  • Hum, sing, or gargle regularly to stimulate the nerve
  • Laugh more—genuine laughter stimulates the vagus nerve
  • Try gentle neck stretches and self-massage along the sides of the neck

9. Heart-Healthy Sun Exposure

While solar storms can disrupt heart function, regular healthy sun exposure can strengthen your cardiovascular system:

  • Get 10-20 minutes of direct morning sunlight daily (without sunglasses)
  • Practice sun gazing during the safe periods of sunrise or sunset
  • Synchronize your circadian rhythm with natural daylight cycles
  • Use full-spectrum lighting indoors during winter months
  • Consider red light therapy, which has been shown to support mitochondrial function and cardiovascular health

10. Join a Heart-Centered Community

Research shows that social connection and community support significantly impact heart health outcomes. During times of increased solar activity:

  • Connect with like-minded individuals who understand these cosmic influences
  • Participate in group meditation or prayer, which amplifies coherent heart fields
  • Share your experiences and strategies with others
  • Practice collective grounding exercises in nature
  • Create a support system for times when you feel particularly sensitive

For deeper support and guidance, consider joining my Sacred Heart Meditation Circle or Heart Mastery Circle, where we practice these protective techniques together and create powerful collective heart fields that provide greater resilience during solar events. More information at www.HeartLeadership.org.

The Quantum Connection: Beyond Physical Protection

As important as these physical protection strategies are, there’s a deeper dimension to consider. From a quantum perspective, our hearts exist in a field of consciousness that transcends ordinary electromagnetic forces.

The HeartMath Institute’s research suggests that the heart’s electromagnetic field carries and is affected by emotional information. When we cultivate positive emotional states like gratitude, compassion, and love, we may create a form of quantum protection that transcends physical measures.

Consider these quantum-level practices:

  • Cultivate heart-centered awareness through daily meditation
  • Practice radical acceptance of what is, reducing resistance-based stress
  • Generate feelings of unconditional love and gratitude, especially during solar storms
  • Visualize a protective field of golden light surrounding your heart
  • Affirm your connection to the divine source of all energy

Final Thoughts

As we face increasing solar activity in the coming years (we’re approaching the peak of Solar Cycle 25), this knowledge becomes even more crucial. By implementing these 10 protective strategies, monitoring solar forecasts, and sharing this information widely, we can transform this scientific discovery into a life-saving revolution in women’s heart health.

If you’re a woman reading this—especially if you’re over 60 or have existing cardiovascular risk factors—please take this information seriously. The science is clear: your heart is uniquely vulnerable during solar storms.

Begin implementing at least 3 of these protection strategies today. Share this information with the women you love. You can use this new knowledge to prevent unnecessary suffering and save lives.

Your precious feeling heart needs to be protected and nurtured. Taking care of it is a revolutionary act of self-love in our increasingly disconnected world.

From my heart to yours,

—Gabriel


PS. When you're ready, here are several ways I can support you on your journey.
PPS. One last thing… If someone shared this newsletter with you, you can always subscribe to the newsletter here.


The Feeling Heart

Gabriel Gonsalves is a Heart Leadership & Mastery Coach, spiritual teacher, and artist dedicated to helping people awaken their hearts, live authentically, and lead with purpose and joy.

Read more from The Feeling Heart

Have you ever caught yourself staring out the window during a workday, wondering if there’s something more? That quiet moment when you ask yourself if what you’re doing truly matters? I’ve been there too. And in my years as a heart leadership coach, I’ve sat with hundreds of people wrestling with the same question: What am I truly meant to do with my life? This isn’t just casual curiosity. It’s the voice of your heart nudging you toward something deeper. This week, I want to explore the...

Three simple words. Eight letters. Spoken billions of times each day across the globe. “I love you” – perhaps the most powerful phrase in any language, yet so often misunderstood. After nearly two decades exploring the mysteries of the heart, I’ve witnessed something both fascinating and troubling: we all hunger for love with every fiber of our being, yet most of us have no idea what we’re truly asking for when we say, “I want to be loved.” So this week, I'd like to invite you to consider a...

Joseph Campbell once said that while most people seem to be searching for the meaning of life, deep down inside, what we are all truly longing for is the experience of being fully alive. I wholeheartedly agree. To me, this is precisely what The Path of the Heart is all about: A path with a heart. One that makes you come fully alive; that brings out both the best and worst in you. A path that allows you to discover powerful gifts and qualities you never even thought you had and unleash the...