Heart threat to women who suffer anxiety

YOUNGER women with anxiety and depression are twice as likely to develop heart problems later in life, a study has suggested.

Scientists say the conditions could be used as eligibility criteria for screening techniques to prevent serious issues such as heart attacks in at-risk patients.

The data show anxiety and depression almost double a young woman’s risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Women under 50 are often overlooked for cardiovascular disease, said Dr Giovanni Civieri, the study author and a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, because other demographics have a higher incidence.

“This study suggests that if a younger woman has depression or anxiety, we should start screening for cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease,” he said.

Researchers analysed health records of 71,214 people in the Mass General Brigham Biobank and a 10-year follow-up revealed the elevated risk. About 38 per cent of participants developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or diabetes. People with a history of anxiety or depression were about 55 per cent more likely to develop one or more of these risk factors than people without anxiety or depression.

However, data show women under 50 with anxiety or depression were nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular risk factors compared with any other group. They had the lowest overall rates of cardiovascular risk factors but the mental health conditions greatly increased the risk.

The findings are due to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Atlanta next month.