Mental stress, heart trouble a fatal combination

Mental Health

MENTAL stress not only causes heart problems but also results in a three-fold increase in the risk of death if one is already suffering from heart condition, reports HealthScout.
A study, published in the latest issue of Circulation shows that psychological stress can inhibit the flow of blood to the heart, a condition called ischemia, and increase the risk of death for those with coronary artery disease.

The lead author of the study, Dr David S Sheps of University of Florida, said: “Patients who had ischemia in response to mental stress had a three-fold increase in the risk of death compared to people without mental stress”.

The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that links mental stress with creating or exacerbating heart problems. However, Rozanski stated, it is important to keep in mind that the average person is not at a risk of having a heart attack upon hearing bad news.

The study involved an analysis of 196 patients (170 men and 26 women), all of whom had either experienced a heart attack or had a more than 50 per cent narrowing of at least one major coronary artery. They also had exercise-induced ischemia.

Each participant was given an exercise stress test followed by a psychological stress test, in which they were asked to play a role in a scenario where a close relative was being mistreated.
The University of Florida researchers used an imaging test called radionuclide angiography to see how the heart was working after the mental stress test. Dye was injected into the bloodstream to highlight red blood cells.

The scientists then looked at computer-generated pictures to see how the heart was performing. The researchers were particularly interested in any “wall motion” abnormalities or changes in the heart’s ability to pump blood.

20% of the patients showed evidence of the abnormalities. Follow-ups done after about four years showed that 17 patients had died. Forty per cent of these patients had exhibited wall motion abnormalities during their earlier stress test. From the findings, the researchers calculated that patients with wall motion abnormalities had about a three times higher death rate than those who did not.

Adding a word of caution on the study’s applications, Rozanski said there is an important distinction to be made between acute stress and chronic stress.
Normal individuals may be at higher risk for cardiovascular events if they are exposed to certain forms of chronic stress, such as depression, but not if they are exposed to a one or two-time stressor. Individuals with cardiovascular conditions may be at higher risk from both types of stress. ANI

Information from: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020328/edit.htm#8