Chronic stress may trigger hidden inflammation that damages the heart
Researchers found higher inflammation was linked to silent heart remodeling and a 43% greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
- On Friday, a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology revealed that chronic inflammation is linked to hidden structural heart damage, analyzing health data from 488,079 adults in the United Kingdom Biobank.
- Higher inflammation levels were strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, psychological distress, smoking, and excess body fat, which researchers found converge to trigger inflammation when elevated over time.
- People with the highest inflammation levels faced a 43% greater risk of heart attack and stroke than those with the lowest; those with higher levels also showed structural changes, including thickened heart walls and smaller heart chambers.
- Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said the research identifies inflammatory proteins that "appear to play a key role" in heart damage, offering potential for anti-inflammatory medicines.
- While the study was observational, researchers emphasize that physical activity and healthier diets can help protect heart health. "But while tackling health inequalities remains an issue, there are things that we can do about inflammation," experts noted.
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14 Articles
Chronic stress may be quietly reshaping your heart
Chronic inflammation tied to stress, lifestyle, mental health, and socioeconomic conditions may silently change the heart for years before any symptoms appear. People with the highest inflammation levels faced a 43% greater risk of heart attack and stroke, raising hopes that earlier testing and anti-inflammatory treatments could help prevent serious heart disease.
Chronic Inflammation Linked to Silent Heart Damage, Study Says
Get latest articles and stories on Health at LatestLY. Chronic inflammation linked to everyday stress, socioeconomic disadvantage and lifestyle factors may quietly damage the heart years before cardiovascular symptoms appear, according to a large study of nearly 480,000 UK adults. Health News | Chronic Inflammation Linked to Silent Heart Damage, Study Says.
Chronic Stress Could Drive Hidden Inflammation Linked to Heart Damage: Study
Chronic inflammation may be quietly reshaping the heart according to a large UK study published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Chronic inflammation is a long-term, low-level immune...
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