Harvard Researchers Explain Stress- Heart Attack Link

Harvard Medical School researchers explain why chronic stress ups heart attack risk.

Chronic stress ups heart attack risk by increases production of disease-fighting white blood cells in the body. These cells clump together in the artery, restricting blood flow and increases clot formation risk. These clots then break down and travel to other places in the body, AFP reported.

A recent study had found a stress gene that increases heart attack risk and even early death. This gene variant changes the carrier's reaction to stressful events, making them vulnerable to several health problems.

In the present study, researchers found the mechanism by which stress increases odds of having a heart attack.

White blood cells or leukocytes are an important part of the immune system. These cells "are important to fight infection and healing, but if you have too many of them, or they are in the wrong place, they can be harmful," said study co-author Matthias Nahrendorf of the Harvard Medical School in Boston, according to AFP.

The study was based on data from 29 medical residents working in intensive care unit or ICU. People working at ICU report high level of stress due to the intense amount of work-pressure. Researchers collected blood samples during work and during off-hours, AFP reported

The team found that stress sent leukocyte production into overdrive.

Researchers then looked at how stress affected mice's heart attack risk. The mice used in the study were designed to be at a higher risk for atherosclerosis, which is a disease characterized by a build-up of plaque inside the arteries.

Researchers found that an increase in white blood cells due to stress led to greater plaque accumulation.

Of course, stress is just one factor that raises heart attack risk. Unhealthy eating habits, smoking and poor physical activity along with genetic predisposition increase odds of heart attack.

The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine.