United States: According to researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital it is revealed that people with specific genetic traits and also going through anxiety or depression are at a “significantly higher heart attack risk,” especially during the social or political stressful phase, like presidential elections or even the Super Bowl.
More about the finding
The study performed recently was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session in April. It was the first time ever to measure stress sensitivity on the basis of genetics as a inducer of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
For the study, 18,428 Mass General Brigham Biobank participants were examined, out of which 1,890 developed ACS between 2000 and 2020.
Furthermore, the researchers also went through the participants’ stress sensitivity by calculating their neuroticism polygenic risk score (nPRS).
Additionally, stressful periods such as five days post presidentiaql elections, and 10 days around Christmas day, constitute 3.2 percent of the total timeline scientiests performed obserbation.
Results from the study
As compared to 1,819 cases during control periods, a total of 71 ACS cases took place while going through stressful periods.
According to the study authors, “High nPRS, indicating elevated genetic susceptibility to stress, mediates ACS risk during periods of socio-political stress,” and “A multifaceted approach to [cardiovascular disease] prevention may benefit.”
He added, “So if you have both conditions, you would expect to have a substantial increase in your risk,” as Fox News reported.
After scientific examination, Abohashem and his fellow researchers discovered that around 25 percent of ACs cases were caused by anxiety and depression.
Furthermore, as per the experts, the outcome from the genetic inclination for heart risks is also taken as a major factor for cardiologists and general care physicians to consider.
The study author added, “Based on that identification, we could develop targeted intervention, or maybe preventive strategies, that could help us protect those people from developing heart attacks in the future,” as Fox News reported.
Experts opinion
According to Dr. Laxmi Mehta, an American Heart Association medical expert and cardiology director at Ohio State University, “This is an interesting study that further supports the data of the mind-heart connection.
Dr. Laxmi, who was not part of the study, added, “It highlights the importance of mental health and its impact on overall health, including the heart.”
However, Mehta took notice that the “retrospective nature” of the study “limits the ability to show a direct causal relationship between mental health conditions” like depression and anxiety.