A new study from Mass General Brigham reveals that people with depression and anxiety may be at higher risk of developing heart disease—and stress may be the reason why.
The researchers found that emotional distress affects the brain, nervous system, and immune system in ways that can harm heart health over time.
Published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, the study shows that stress-related brain activity, poor nervous system control, and ongoing inflammation may link mental health to heart disease. People who suffer from both depression and anxiety appear to be at an even higher risk than those with just one of the conditions.
The research team analyzed health data from 85,551 participants in the Mass General Brigham Biobank. Of these, about 15,000 had both depression and anxiety, another 15,000 had one of the two, and over 54,000 had neither.
They followed participants for over three years to track serious heart problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure. During that time, 3,078 people had one of these major heart issues.
As expected, people with depression or anxiety were more likely to experience these problems. But the biggest surprise came from those with both conditions.
This group had a 32% higher risk of heart issues compared to people with only one of the conditions. The risk remained high even after considering lifestyle habits, economic background, and known risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
To better understand the connection between mental health and heart disease, the scientists looked at brain scans and blood samples from a smaller group of participants. These tests showed that people with depression or anxiety had higher activity in the amygdala—a part of the brain that reacts to stress.
They also had lower heart rate variability, which means the nervous system wasn’t functioning as well. Finally, they had higher levels of a protein called CRP in their blood, which is linked to inflammation.
These changes in the body seem to form a “biological chain” that connects emotional stress to heart problems. When the brain is under constant stress, it can activate the body’s fight-or-flight system, causing increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and more inflammation.
Over time, these effects can damage the heart and blood vessels, making it more likely that someone will develop cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Shady Abohashem, the lead author of the study, said that the findings help explain how emotional distress affects the heart. “This research is a reminder that mental health is part of heart health,” he said. “Treating depression, anxiety, and stress is not only good for your mind, but it may also protect your heart.”
While this study does not prove that depression or anxiety directly causes heart disease, it shows a strong connection. More research is needed to find out whether treating mental health problems can also lower the risk of heart disease.
The team is now studying whether stress-reducing therapies, anti-inflammatory medicines, or lifestyle changes like exercise and relaxation techniques can help lower heart risk by improving the way the brain and immune system respond to stress.
This research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that taking care of your emotional well-being is just as important as diet, exercise, and medication when it comes to preventing heart disease.
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