The study showed that chronic stress associated with depression and anxiety disorders directly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Researchers explained that in people with depression or anxiety, stress centers in the brain are activated, disrupting nervous system function and increasing systemic inflammation, which damages blood vessels over time.
The team analyzed data from over 85,000 participants in the Massachusetts General Hospital's biobank, who were followed for an average of 3.4 years. During this period, more than 3,000 people experienced serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. The researchers observed that the risk was elevated in those with depression and those with anxiety disorders, but it was significantly higher in patients with both disorders, with an increased risk of approximately 32% compared to those with only one disorder.
Further analysis revealed a potential biological pathway for this effect: patients with both depression and anxiety showed increased activity in the amygdala, the brain region responsible for the stress response, along with decreased heart rate variability and elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of chronic inflammation. According to the researchers, this combination leads to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and progressive damage to blood vessels.
The scientists stressed that the results do not prove a direct causal relationship, but they clearly highlight the importance of mental health in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The study was published in the journal (CCI)
