[Personal anxiety and ischemic heart disease]

To study correlations between personal anxiety (PA) as one of the leading psychosocial factors and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The third screening (1994) of the program MONICA and subprogram MOPSY-MONICA-psychosocial covered a random representative sample of males at the age of 25-64 years living in Novosibirsk. The response was 82% (657 responders, mean age 44.3 +/- 0.4 years). Statistical analysis was based on the SPSS-10 software package.

Prevalence of PA as an indication of social stress in a male population of 25-64-year-olds is very high especially in young age groups. PA is maximal among persons with elementary education and workers. Persons with PA experience strong stress in job and in family settings. An IHD rate is higher among PA patients. High PA is often associated with depression, high hostility, cachexia, sleep problems, low social support. PA patients have a negative opinion of their health but their attempts to improve it are insufficient. The proportion of those who quit smoking, reduce the number of cigarettes, keep diet, restrict physical activity grow in PA persons.

PA is prevalent among male population especially in young persons. A PA level correlates with social status. IHD occurs more frequently in PA persons. High PA often associates with other psychosocial factors.