A new study, the largest of its kind, has revealed that chronic stress from daily life may cause permanent structural changes in the heart and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The study, led by researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London, included nearly 480,000 adults in the United Kingdom.
The researchers found that chronic inflammation, linked to socioeconomic status and lifestyle, is the primary driver of these changes. They used a blood marker known as glycoprotein acetylcholine (GlycA), along with cardiac imaging and genetic data.
According to a research paper published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, individuals with the highest levels of inflammation (top 20%) were 43% more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke compared to those with the lowest levels (bottom 20%). Their hearts also showed clear structural changes, including thickened heart walls, smaller heart chambers, and reduced heart rate—changes that can develop silently for years before leading to heart failure. Higher levels of inflammation were strongly associated with poverty and psychological distress, as well as smoking and obesity.
Professor Declan O'Regan of Imperial College London says: "Millions of people may be living with hidden inflammation that is slowly changing their hearts and causing long-term damage. Chronic inflammation is complex, but it is linked to our environment, our economic situation, our family's health, and our lifestyle. There are things we can do about inflammation, such as reducing smoking and obesity."
He added: "What was surprising was how closely social and mental health factors were linked to inflammation and heart damage, in addition to a strong genetic factor, where some people are naturally more resilient or susceptible."
The study identified key inflammatory proteins from the Interleukin-1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor families as potential agents of this damage, many of which are already targeted by drugs in clinical trials, raising hopes that anti-inflammatory treatments could help prevent heart disease before symptoms appear.
The results suggest that combining blood tests for inflammation with genetic risk scores could help identify people who would benefit most from early intervention.
The researchers emphasized that those genetically predisposed or with adverse conditions are not doomed to heart disease, and much can be done to prevent long-term inflammation. Professor Brian Williams of the British Heart Foundation said: "Inflammation is part of the body's healing process, but it has a dark side. This study underscores the importance of addressing the underlying causes of inflammation and poor heart health, while supporting people in making lifestyle changes to protect their hearts."
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