Researchers have found that constant daily stress not only affects mental health, but may also have effects on the heart.
It has been shown to stimulate chronic low-grade inflammation, which is associated with changes in heart structure and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers from Imperial College London conducted the study, which was published in the "European Journal of Preventive Cardiology," with the aim of understanding the relationship between chronic inflammation and heart health, and the factors that may contribute to its occurrence.
Low-grade chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system remains on high alert for extended periods, even without an obvious infection or injury. This may be linked to a range of factors, including psychological stress, lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions.
The researchers analyzed data from 488,079 people from a UK research database, including heart images, blood markers associated with inflammation, genetic information, and data on 169 environmental and social factors, including smoking, physical activity, diet, sleep, loneliness and anxiety, financial difficulties, and air pollution.
The results showed that elevated inflammation levels were associated with smaller heart chambers and thicker heart walls, along with a decrease in the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat. The researchers believe these changes may precede heart failure.
They also found that participants with the highest levels of inflammation were more likely to experience major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. During the follow-up period, approximately 15% of those in the group with the highest inflammation levels experienced a major cardiovascular event, compared to approximately 11% in the group with the lowest levels—an increase of 43%.
The study also revealed a link between high levels of inflammation and socioeconomic deprivation and psychological distress, while the data showed that genetic factors may influence how susceptible people are to inflammation-related damage.
Declan O'Regan, a cardiovascular researcher at Imperial College London, said the study suggests that millions of people may be suffering from hidden inflammation that can slowly alter the structure of the heart and cause long-term damage.
However, the researchers stressed that the results do not prove a direct causal relationship between stress, inflammation and heart damage, but rather indicate a possible link between these factors.
The findings may help in the future to develop blood tests that combine markers of inflammation and genetic information to identify people most at risk of heart problems at an early stage.
Despite the difficulty in addressing some factors, such as poverty and psychological stress, researchers emphasize that steps such as quitting smoking, reducing obesity, improving diet, and engaging in physical activity can contribute to reducing the risk of heart disease.
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