Financial Stress and Cardiovascular Health: Understanding the Risk
Friday, September 27, 2024.
Financial stress doesn’t just impact your wallet—it can seriously affect your heart health too.
Recent research has found that financial stress is associated with a 19% higher risk of developing major cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and even cardiovascular-related death.
This meta-analysis, published in Current Problems in Cardiology, sheds light on how financial pressure impacts heart health and why managing stress is critical for preventing heart disease.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, including conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, and heart failure.
Commonly, the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, causes many of these conditions.
However, factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise are also major contributors. Recent research now points to another important factor: financial stress.
Financial Stress and Heart Disease: What the Research Shows
The new meta-analysis led by Shiba Sai Swarup and her team explores how financial stress increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Their research analyzed over 2,000 studies that focused on economic strain and its impact on heart health, ultimately narrowing the field to seven studies that met specific criteria.
These studies, which included populations from the U.S., Germany, Sweden, and Serbia, revealed that people experiencing financial stress had a 19% higher likelihood of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Interestingly, the findings varied depending on the group being studied. For example, one study found a 54% reduced risk of heart disease in single women, while another study reported a 184% increased risk in single men. This suggests that financial stress may impact different groups in different ways, influenced by factors such as gender, marital status, and economic background.
How Financial Stress Affects Your Heart
Financial stress can lead to chronic anxiety, elevated blood pressure, and increased inflammation, all of which are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When the body is under constant stress, it triggers a “fight or flight” response, which can take a toll on heart health over time. This is why managing financial stress is essential for reducing the risk of heart disease.
In fact, research shows that chronic stress is linked to a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders (American Psychological Association, 2021). Reducing financial stress can have long-term benefits not just for heart health, but for overall physical and mental well-being.
Practical Tips for Managing Financial Stress and Protecting Heart Health
Managing financial stress effectively can play a critical role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Here are a few strategies that may help reduce the impact of financial stress on your health:
Create a Budget: Keeping track of your income and expenses can help you manage financial stress and plan for the future.
Seek Financial Advice: Speaking with a financial advisor can provide you with strategies to reduce debt, save more, and feel more secure.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a proven way to reduce stress and improve cardiovascular health.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help you manage stress more effectively.
Get Professional Support: Therapy or counseling can help address chronic stress and improve your mental well-being.
What Healthcare Providers Can Do
The authors of the meta-analysis recommend that healthcare providers include assessments of financial stress when evaluating patients' cardiovascular risk. I think this is a very wise and prudent suggestion.
By addressing both traditional risk factors (like high blood pressure and smoking) and socio-economic stressors, healthcare professionals can create more comprehensive care plans.
Policies aimed at reducing financial burdens—such as debt relief programs or financial education—may also be effective ways to improve heart health.
With financial stress becoming more prevalent, especially in a post-pandemic world, addressing the economic factors behind poor health outcomes is more important than ever.
This new meta-analysis highlights the need to consider financial stress as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
While more research is needed to understand how financial stress impacts different demographic groups, it is clear that reducing stress can help protect heart health.
If we address both traditional and socio-economic risk factors, we might improve cardiovascular outcomes and overall well-being.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
American Psychological Association. (2021). Stress and health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress
Swarup, S. S., K. P, A., Padhi, B. K., Satapathy, P., Shabil, M., Bushi, G., Gandhi, A. P., Khatib, M. N., Gaidhane, S., Zahiruddin, Q. S., Rustagi, S., Barboza, J. J., & Sah, R. (2024). Cardiovascular consequences of financial stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Problems in Cardiology.