Khaberni - A recent study revealed that constant worry about money and food provisioning accelerates the aging of the heart muscle and blood vessels sometimes at rates surpassing known traditional risk factors.
Researchers explained that economic stress is not just a psychological burden, but a "biological trigger" that alters the efficiency of the circulatory system and its response to physical exertion.
Comprehensive analysis of more than 280,000 people
The researchers examined data from over 280,000 adults who completed detailed questionnaires about their social and economic factors, alongside clinical assessments of their heart health. The research team focused on the concept of "vascular age," which reflects the biological appearance of a person's heart and blood vessels compared to their actual age.
The results showed that individuals who reported higher levels of financial stress and food insecurity tended to exhibit signs of advanced cardiovascular aging, even after accounting for traditional medical risk factors.
Financial stress differs from other types of stress
Financial stresses have unique characteristics making them highly impactful, unlike acute stress like a short-term work deadline or a transient illness; financial stresses are chronic and ongoing.
These stresses include perpetual worry about bills, housing stability, medical expenses, debts, or supporting family members.
Money affects many aspects of daily life, making it difficult to escape financial stress, which can disrupt sleep, limit access to healthy food or medical care, and reduce opportunities for exercise or relaxation.
Compared with traditional risk factors
Dr. Leana Wen, a health expert at "CNN" and an emergency physician, noted that the magnitude of the connection between financial stress and heart aging was similar to or even surpassed many clinical risk factors.
Traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking are known contributors to heart disease and are routinely checked by doctors.
This research suggests that social determinants of health, including financial stress and food insecurity, deserve discussion in the same context, but that doesn't mean financial stress replaces traditional risk factors; it adds to them.
Is heart disease inevitable for those suffering financial stress?
Dr. Wen answers clearly: "No"; this is an important point, as financial stress increases the risk, but it doesn't mean that people who suffer from it are doomed to poor heart health.
The risk is also influenced by many factors, and there are still meaningful actions individuals and doctors can take to mitigate the damage.
Practical steps to protect heart health
The fundamentals of heart health remain constant: regular physical activity, a balanced heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, non-smoking, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Routine screenings matter because many cardiovascular risk factors develop silently, and treating high blood pressure or diabetes early significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and heart failure.
Since chronic stress also affects heart health, techniques like mindfulness practices, sufficient sleep, and social connection can help alleviate stress responses and contribute to better heart health.
