Stress as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background. Stress is a key component of the human experience and depends on the frequency and intensity of exposure. Martial law and active hostilities cause an increase in the level of stress in the population and affect cardiovascular diseases, therefore the issue of studying stress is relevant for this period of time. Purpose – based on the study of literary sources, the state of existing research was analyzed to highlight the mechanisms that link stress to the development of cardiovascular diseases and to highlight the modern concept of its influence. Materials and Methods. Data from the English-language literature obtained from the MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were studied and analyzed. A search of literature sources was conducted using the following keywords: «cardiovascular diseases», «psychological distress», «stress», «risk adjustment», and «risk factors». Abstracts of articles were examined and publications that did not meet the research criteria were excluded. The most frequently used literature sources were dated 2014–2024. Results. As a result of the analysis of articles devoted to various sources of stress and their correlation with the incidence and severity of cardiovascular diseases, it was found that stress is a significant factor influencing them. According to the INTERHEART study, increased stress levels lead to an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Acute stress observed during disasters led to a short-term increase in the occurrence and severity of cardiovascular diseases. During the football championship, during matches in which Germany played, an increase in the frequency of coronary syndromes was observed in German fans. Chronic stress can worsen comorbidities such as diabetes and may be associated with increased smoking rates (with all the associated consequences). Stress contributes to dysregulation of the bodyʼs systems, which leads to the development of comorbidities and an increased risk of developing or worsening of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions. Stress is an important and integral phenomenon in our lives, as well as a significant factor influencing the development of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. War, natural disasters, sporting events and other events can contribute to an increase in stress levels and lead to the occurrence or worsening of cardiovascular diseases. Mitigation of stress influence might decrease the cardiovascular risk.