Core Concepts
Stress-related disorders and anxiety significantly increase the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Abstract
The study suggests that stress-related disorders and anxiety are linked to a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The findings were based on a case-control study comparing over 35,000 OHCA case patients with matched control persons. The study highlights the importance of early risk monitoring for OHCA in patients with stress-related disorders and anxiety. The research was published in BMJ's Open Heart.
- Stress Disorders and Anxiety Overrepresented
- Stress and anxiety are associated with a higher risk of OHCA.
- PTSD was linked to a twofold higher risk of OHCA.
- Data Extraction
- Long-term stress conditions overall had a hazard ratio of 1.44 for OHCA.
- PTSD had a hazard ratio of 1.80 for OHCA.
- Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors
- Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors may increase the risk of OHCA.
- Lack of data on lifestyle factors in the study.
- Detrimental to the Heart
- Negative psychological stress factors increase the risk of cardiac events.
- Stress and anxiety are not only detrimental to psychological health but also increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
Stats
Long-term stress conditions overall had a hazard ratio of 1.44 for OHCA.
PTSD had a hazard ratio of 1.80 for OHCA.
Quotes
"Negative psychological stress factors, such as stress and anxiety, are not only detrimental to one's psychological health but likely increase one's risk for adverse cardiac events, such as cardiac arrest." - Glenn Levine, MD