Russian scientists have discovered that vital exhaustion is dangerous for men's heart health. They reported their new data at an online conference of the European Society of Cardiology.
10084 Vital exhaustion
Exhaustion is a combination of extreme fatigue, demoralization, and increasing irritability. “This condition is considered to be responsible for complex life problems, including the inability to adapt to the effects of psychological stressors,” explained co-author of the new study Dmitry Panov from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk.
Exhaustion and the risk of heart attack
In the new study, researchers looked at data from 657 men who previously participated in the World Health Organization's MONICA project, which focused on studying the causes of cardiovascular disease. In 1994, 657 men from Novosibirsk aged 25 to 64 took part in this project. Participants were followed for 14 years, and none of them had cardiovascular disease at the start of the study.
67% of study participants suffered from some degree of vital exhaustion. It was observed in 74% of men with hypertension.
In men with high and moderate degrees of malnutrition, the risk of heart attack within 5 years was 2.7 times higher, within 10 years – 2.25 times higher, over 14 years – 2.1 times higher than those who did not suffer from exhaustion.
Social factors played an additional role in the risk of heart attack in men with vital exhaustion. It was higher among unmarried, divorced, widowers, and people with secondary education.
“Living alone indicates a lower level of social support, which, as we know from previous studies, is an independent risk factor for heart attack and stroke,” Panov commented.
According to him, the research data indicate that an unfavorable social situation contributes to the development of life exhaustion, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. He believes that this factor should be assessed when assessing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Panov recalled that improving the psychological state and reducing stress at work and at home can reduce the degree of exhaustion. He believes that the condition of people who suffer from this problem can improve if they lead a healthy lifestyle and are provided with social support.
Earlier, in a study on the same group of men, scientists from the Interdepartmental Laboratory of Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences showed that exhaustion is associated with an increased risk of stroke.
Why does exhaustion lead to a heart attack?
Previously, foreign studies have already linked exhaustion with an increased risk of heart attack. Scientists poorly understand the physiological reasons why exhaustion is associated with the risk of heart attack. It is known that this condition is associated with changes in metabolism, immunity and blood circulation, which can provoke the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Exhaustion may be accompanied by increased blood clotting and elevated levels of inflammatory mediators in the blood.