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A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
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A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

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Perceived stress level is associated with coronary artery disease severity in patients with ST-segment elevation

Serkan Kahraman1, Fatma Cam Kahraman2, Hicaz Zencirkiran Agus1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University of Health Sciences, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Arsivi : Turk Kardiyoloji Derneginin Yayin Organidir
|July 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

High perceived stress is linked to a greater burden of coronary atherosclerosis in heart attack patients. Increased stress predicts higher SYNTAX scores, indicating more severe disease and a higher risk of mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Psychocardiology

Background:

  • Stress is a known risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular events.
  • The specific impact of perceived stress on the coronary atherosclerotic burden has not been extensively studied.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehensive patient management following myocardial infarction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between perceived stress levels and coronary atherosclerotic burden, as measured by SYNTAX scores.
  • To determine if perceived stress is an independent predictor of high SYNTAX scores in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  • To explore the correlation between stress levels and in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 440 patients diagnosed with STEMI.
  • Patients were categorized into two groups based on Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, with a ROC curve-defined cutoff of 17.5.
  • SYNTAX and SYNTAX II scores were calculated and compared between low (n=361) and high (n=79) PSS groups; correlation and regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • Patients with high PSS scores exhibited significantly higher SYNTAX and SYNTAX II scores compared to those with low PSS scores (p<0.001 for both).
  • Perceived Stress Scale scores were positively correlated with both SYNTAX score (r=0.153, p=0.001) and SYNTAX II score (r=0.216, p<0.001).
  • Higher PSS scores were independently associated with moderate-to-high SYNTAX scores (OR: 2.434) and were also linked to increased in-hospital mortality (p=0.007).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated perceived stress appears to accelerate the coronary atherosclerotic process and increase the overall disease burden.
  • Perceived stress is an independent predictor of a high SYNTAX score in STEMI patients, highlighting its clinical significance.
  • Managing psychological stress may be a critical component in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.
Abstract

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