Chronic stress may be quietly reshaping your heart
A large UK study involving nearly half a million adults found that chronic stress from everyday life can lead to lasting physical changes in the heart, including chronic inflammation. These changes are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke and can develop silently over many years.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the significant, often hidden, impact of chronic stress and inflammation on cardiovascular health, underscoring the importance of addressing lifestyle and socioeconomic factors to prevent long-term damage.
Chronic stress linked to everyday life may leave a lasting physical mark on the heart, potentially damaging cardiovascular health and shortening lifespan.
That conclusion comes from a study of nearly half a million adults in the UK, led by researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and Imperial College London. The researchers believe it is the largest study of its kind.
Their findings suggest that chronic inflammation, which is associated with lifestyle and socioeconomic circumstances, may contribute to harmful changes in the heart's structure. It was also linked to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
Importantly, these changes may begin years before a person notices any cardiovascular symptoms, allowing the damage to build silently over time.
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