Stress may trigger heart attacks
Heart attack survivors who live alone and people exposed to extreme stress from events, such as natural disasters or the death of a loved one, are at greater risk of heart attack, according to a new Brain and Mind Research Institute-led (BMRI) study supported by the Heart Foundation.
Heart attack survivors who live alone and people exposed to extreme stress from events, such as natural disasters or the death of a loved one, are at greater risk of heart attack, according to a new Brain and Mind Research Institute-led (BMRI) study supported by the Heart Foundation.
The emotional stress of losing a loved one is referred to as stress cardiomyopathy, commonly known as ‘broken heart’ syndrome.
But the BMRI-led review of 10 year data, to be presented at the Australia and New Zealand Cardiac Society conference in Queensland on Friday, has busted one popular myth: that chronic job stress causes or sharply increases the likelihood of having a heart attack.
“Contrary to popular belief, the effect of job stress on heart disease is very small and limited,” BMRI researcher and study lead author, Professor Nick Glozier, said.
“This is good news – our jobs are not necessarily killing us. If anything, what we really need to focus on is what we can control; that is, standard heart disease risks such as higher blood pressure and smoking, tackled through better workplace programs.
“From the evidence review, of greater concern is for heart attack survivors living alone.
“Social isolation and lack of quality support can lead to another attack in situations where no friends or relatives would be aware until it’s too late.
“Measures to reduce social isolation among heart attack survivors could have positive psychological effects but would not necessarily improve heart disease outcomes.”
The study also found the potential for increased cardiovascular risk among populations exposed to natural disasters and other conditions of extreme stress, such as tense sporting events.
The researchers call for greater public access to defibrillators should be made available where large populations gather, such as sporting venues, and as part of the response to natural and other disasters.
