Adding to evidence that mental health conditions may affect heart health, a new study finds that veterans with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of heart attack.
Adding to evidence that mental health conditions may affect heart health, a new study finds that veterans with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of heart attack.
A number of studies have found that people with clinical depression show a higher-than-average risk of heart disease. Less research, however, has focused on anxiety disorders. And because many people with clinical anxiety also suffer from depression, it has been unclear whether anxiety itself is strongly related to heart health. To examine the link between anxiety and heart troubles, researchers followed 96,612 Americans, aged between 25 and 60 years for seven years.
It was found that several anxiety disorders - including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder and more generalised anxiety - were linked to heart attack risk independently of depression. When the researchers accounted for a number of other factors related to heart attack risk, people with anxiety disorders were anywhere from 25 percent to 43 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack than those with no anxiety disorders. Those factors included age, smoking, drinking habits and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
These findings, similar to past studies, indicate that those with clinical depression have a higher heart attack risk than their non-depressed counterparts and anxiety disorders are independent risk factors for heart attack.
A number of studies have found that people with clinical depression show a higher-than-average risk of heart disease. Less research, however, has focused on anxiety disorders. And because many people with clinical anxiety also suffer from depression, it has been unclear whether anxiety itself is strongly related to heart health. To examine the link between anxiety and heart troubles, researchers followed 96,612 Americans, aged between 25 and 60 years for seven years.
It was found that several anxiety disorders - including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder and more generalised anxiety - were linked to heart attack risk independently of depression. When the researchers accounted for a number of other factors related to heart attack risk, people with anxiety disorders were anywhere from 25 percent to 43 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack than those with no anxiety disorders. Those factors included age, smoking, drinking habits and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
These findings, similar to past studies, indicate that those with clinical depression have a higher heart attack risk than their non-depressed counterparts and anxiety disorders are independent risk factors for heart attack.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
