A new meta-analysis has examined the association between financial stress and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The results showed that individuals experiencing financial stress have around a 19% higher risk of developing a major cardiovascular event, such as a myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death. The paper was published in Current Problems in Cardiology.
Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. They include conditions like coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension. These diseases are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for millions of deaths every year. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, is a primary cause of many cardiovascular conditions, leading to reduced blood flow and an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes.
However, atherosclerosis is not the only cause. Major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Diabetes and a family history of heart disease also increase the risk. Researchers have reported that certain life events or conditions might be associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Study author Shiba Sai Swarup and her colleagues sought to examine the relationship between financial stress and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. They conducted a meta-analysis, searching the scientific literature for published studies reporting on cardiovascular diseases and stress or worries caused by financial troubles.
The authors searched for studies mentioning terms such as “economic stress,” “financial stress,” “strain,” “hardship,” “burden,” and “vulnerability.” This search resulted in over 2,000 records. However, after screening, only seven studies were identified that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Two of these studies came from the U.S., two included a large number of countries, while the remaining studies were from Germany, Sweden, and Serbia. The studies were diverse, used different definitions of financial stress, and examined different cardiovascular outcomes.
The results showed that financial stress was associated with a 19% higher risk of experiencing a major cardiac event. These events included myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death. The increased risk related to financial stress varied significantly between studies, ranging from a 54% reduced risk in one sample of single women to a 184% higher risk in another sample of single men.
“Our findings strongly advocate for healthcare professionals to incorporate assessments of financial stress into patient care protocols and for the development of health policies designed to alleviate the economic strains associated with cardiovascular conditions. By addressing both traditional and socio-economic risk factors effectively, we can significantly contribute to enhancing cardiovascular health outcomes and overall well-being,” the study authors concluded.
The study makes a valuable contribution to the scientific understanding of the links between financial stress and health. However, it should be noted that the number of studies included in this meta-analysis was very small, all came from Western countries, and the findings were highly varied. It is also possible that the strength of this association is not the same for different demographic groups.
The paper, “Cardiovascular consequences of financial stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” was authored by Shiba Sai Swarup, Asha K. P, Bijaya Kumar Padhi, Prakasini Satapathy , Muhammed Shabil, Ganesh Bushi, Aravind P. Gandhi, Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib, Shilpa Gaidhane, Quazi Syed Zahiruddin, Sarvesh Rustagi, Joshuan J. Barboza, and Ranjit Sah.