Doctors often look at factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and physical activity when assessing the risk of heart disease.
For many years, these factors have been central to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
However, researchers are increasingly examining how social conditions affect health.
According to the health media outlet Verywell Health, financial circumstances and living conditions may influence heart health.
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Social determinants of health include factors such as finances, access to food, and overall living conditions. These conditions can affect both quality of life and the risk of illness.
Stress in the body
Long-term pressure can affect the body in several ways. Persistent stress can cause the body to produce higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
According to research published in Hypertension, prolonged high levels of cortisol can affect both blood pressure and cholesterol, placing strain on the heart.
Stress can also lead to chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation is normally a natural part of the body’s defense system, but if it persists for a long time, it can damage blood vessels.
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Research findings
A study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings analyzed health data from 280,323 adults.
According to Verywell Health, the researchers examined both traditional risk factors and social conditions.
The researchers also used calculations of the heart’s biological age. This method shows whether the heart functions like a younger or older heart compared with the person’s actual age.
The results showed that financial problems and insecure access to food were the social conditions most clearly associated with faster aging of the heart.
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The study therefore suggests that financial stress may affect the heart at a level comparable to some of the well-known risk factors.
Sources: Verywell Health, Hypertension, and Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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