Men prone to anxiety, worry may develop more risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes

By ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News

Westend61, Getty Images
(Westend61, Getty Images)

Middle-aged men who worry a lot have a higher chance of developing risk factors that can lead to heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes as they age, according to a new study that tracked men for 40 years.

The study, published Monday in the , found men who often felt anxious or overwhelmed developed heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol at a faster rate than their less-worried peers. The biggest worriers had a 10%-13% greater chance of eventually accumulating six or more risk factors, compounding the risks for heart disease and stroke associated with normal aging.

"Having six or more high-risk cardiometabolic markers suggests that an individual is very likely to develop or has already developed cardiometabolic disease," lead study author Lewina Lee said in a news release. Lee is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. She also is an investigator and clinical psychologist at the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Researchers analyzed data collected by the VA's Boston Outpatient Clinic from 1,561 men between 1975 and 2015. Participants, 97% of whom were white, included veterans and non-veterans whose average age at the start was 53.

The men were assessed for neuroticism – the tendency to interpret situations as stressful, threatening or overwhelming – and worry levels through two mail-in surveys. They also had physical exams, including blood tests, every three to five years until they died or the study period ended. Seven cardiometabolic risk factors were measured, including blood pressure; total cholesterol; triglycerides; obesity; fasting blood sugar; and an inflammation marker called erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Overall, the men developed one cardiometabolic risk factor per decade from ages 33 to 65, with an average of 3.8 risk factors by age 65. People with high levels of neuroticism had more risk factors than their less-stressed peers at all ages and were 13% more likely to develop six or more cardiometabolic risk factors as they aged. Those who said they worried a lot were 10% more likely to accumulate six or more cardiometabolic risk factors.

"Individuals with high levels of neuroticism are prone to experience negative emotions – such as fear, anxiety, sadness and anger – more intensely and more frequently," Lee said. "Worry refers to our attempts at problem-solving around an issue whose future outcome is uncertain and potentially positive or negative. Worry can be adaptive, for example, when it leads us to constructive solutions. However, worry can also be unhealthy, especially when it becomes uncontrollable and interferes with our day-to-day functioning."

While the study did not analyze whether treating anxiety could reduce heart-related health risks, Lee said people who spend a lot of time feeling this way should be aware of their risk factors and take steps to manage them.

"For example," she said, "by having routine health checkups and being proactive in managing their cardiometabolic disease risk levels (such as taking medications for high blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight), they may be able to decrease their likelihood of developing cardiometabolic disease."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News Stories

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News stories reflect the official position of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific journals or presented at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.