Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2025

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

22.7K

Chronic financial stress and cardiovascular disease risk: A prospective cohort study and Mendelian randomization

Lu Ma1, Meng Lv2, Ying Li3

  • 1School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.

Atherosclerosis
|July 31, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Financial difficulties causing chronic stress significantly increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This risk is partly mediated by body composition, lifestyle, immunity, and metabolism changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic stress is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • This study investigates the association between chronic stress and incident CVDs, exploring potential mediating factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between chronic stress and the risk of developing CVDs.
  • To identify and quantify the roles of metabolism, body composition, immunity, lifestyle, and cognitive function as mediators in this association.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 399,998 UK Biobank participants without pre-existing CVDs.
  • Utilized multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).
  • Assessed mediators including body composition (waist-to-height ratio, hip-to-height ratio), lifestyle factors (smoking, sedentary behavior, sleep, diet), immunity markers (lymphocyte count, CRP), and metabolism (HbA1c).

Main Results:

  • Chronic stress, particularly from financial difficulties, was linked to increased CVD risk.
  • Financial difficulties-related chronic stress showed significant associations with stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
  • Body composition (especially waist-to-height ratio), lifestyle, immunity, and metabolism collectively mediated 19.30%-34.40% of the effects of financial stress on CVDs.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic stress stemming from financial difficulties is a significant risk factor for incident cardiovascular diseases.
  • Body composition, lifestyle, immunity, and metabolism are key mediating pathways through which financial stress elevates CVD risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdultsCardiovascular diseasesChronic stressMechanistic pathwaysMendelian randomization analyses

More Related Videos

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression13:07

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression

Published on: January 15, 2022

4.0K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
78
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
212
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
58
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
63
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
62
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
35