These men are at a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. Experts have no doubts

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart found that middle-aged men who are often worried may be at a higher risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. They are also more likely to have a stroke. Get to know the details of this research.

The participants in this study were mostly white males. Scientists were able to reach surprising conclusions. – Our findings indicate that higher levels of anxiety in men are linked to biological processes that can cause heart disease and metabolic conditions. This can manifest itself much earlier – in childhood or young adulthood – argues Dr. Lewin Lee, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.

How does feeling anxious affect men’s health? Latest research

To investigate the relationship between anxiety and risk factors for cardiometabolic disease, researchers analyzed data from participants in the 1961 Normative Aging Study, which looked at aging in men. Its participants were patients of the US Veterans Affair clinic in Boston – both veterans and civilians. This analysis covered 1 thousand. 561 men (97% white), whose median age was 1975 in 53. Participants were assessed for neuroticism and anxiety. Importantly, they had no cardiovascular disease or cancer at the time. The personality questionnaire rated neuroticism on a scale of 0-9. In addition, participants also had to identify how often they were worried, with 0 being never and 4 always.

Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by a tendency to interpret situations as threatening, stressful and / or overwhelming. People with high levels of neuroticism tend to experience negative emotions such as fear, sadness, anxiety, and anger more intensely and frequently. The worry refers to our attempts to solve a problem whose future outcome is uncertain. This feeling can be adaptive, for example when it leads us to constructive solutions. However, when it becomes uncontrolled, it disrupts our daily functioning

– explains Dr. Lewina Lee.

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After the initial evaluation, the men had physical and blood tests every 3-5 years until they died or resigned.

Further part below the video.

The research team used dance from observations up to 2015. Seven cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at follow-up visits:

1. systolic and diastolic blood pressure,
2. total cholesterol
3. triglycerides,
4. obesity (assessed on the basis of the body mass index),
5. fasting blood sugar
6. Erythrocyte sedimentation index (ESR), which is a marker of inflammation.

Each participant was assigned a score for the number of risk factors. One point for each of the seven risk factors that are classified for them as high. The men were then categorized according to whether they had developed six or more high-risk factors during the follow-up period.

Having six or more high-risk markers suggests that a person is more likely to develop or has already developed a cardiometabolic disease, Dr. Lee said.

Conclusions from the study

Among other things, researchers found that:

1. Between the ages of 33 and 65, the mean number of high-risk cardiometabolic factors increased by approximately one per decade. An average of 3,8 risk factors at age 65 followed by slower growth for the next 10 years
2. at any age, participants with higher levels of neuroticism had more high-risk cardiometabolic factors.
3. greater neuroticism was associated with 13 percent. a higher likelihood of having six or more high-risk factors after adjusting for demographics (such as income and education) and family history of heart disease.
4. a greater level of worry was associated with 10 percent. higher likelihood of six or more risk factors.

While we don’t know if treating anxiety can lower cardiometabolic risk, people who are prone to worry should pay more attention to their health. Taking medications for high blood pressure and maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce their risk of serious diseases, says Dr. Lee.

Read also:

1. Diseases as a consequence of obesity
2. Heart disease. What symptoms are worrying?
3. Earliest Diabetes Symptoms

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