Chronic Stress May Be Quietly Changing Your Heart. Massive Study Shows How
A new study of almost 480,000 has found that chronic stress may be putting people at higher risk of stroke and heart attack.
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London has uncovered how chronic inflammation, linked to factors like socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and psychological distress, may be subtly altering the heart's structure. This can elevate the risk of heart attacks and strokes years before any symptoms appear.
Utilizing data from 480,000 adults in the UK through the UK Biobank, scientists measured GlycA, a blood marker of inflammation, alongside heart imaging and genetic information. The findings showed that individuals in the top 20% with the highest inflammation levels faced a 43% greater risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those in the bottom 20% with the lowest levels.
Professor Declan O’Regan, a leading expert involved in the research, emphasized that this study, the most extensive of its kind, indicates that millions may harbor hidden inflammation, silently damaging the heart over time. Chronic inflammation, he explained, is influenced by a mix of lifestyle choices and economic conditions, suggesting that people might be at higher risk due to their surroundings, family health history, and personal habits.
While socioeconomic disadvantages and psychological stress are significant contributors, genetic factors also play a role, hinting at varying resilience to inflammatory damage among individuals.
Despite the genetic component, the researchers stressed that not everyone exposed to adverse circumstances will inevitably develop heart disease. O’Regan highlighted that while there are no current drugs specifically targeting this type of chronic inflammation, ongoing trials for high-risk individuals are underway. He advised that maintaining a healthy weight and adhering to a Mediterranean diet could help reduce inflammation.
Moreover, the study underscores the potential link between chronic inflammation and mental health conditions, suggesting it could serve as a critical connection between heart disease and psychological well-being.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
