Daily chronic stress, socioeconomic problems, and psychological distress trigger hidden inflammation in the body, which irreversibly damages the structure of the heart. According to a new large-scale study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, this hidden process can progress for years without any symptoms while significantly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers from Imperial College London and the Medical Research Council (MRC) analyzed data from nearly 480,000 adults in the UK Biobank. Analysis of the inflammatory blood marker GlycA, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and genetic data showed that chronic, low-grade inflammation causes thickening of the heart muscle walls, shrinking of heart cells, and impaired blood filling. At the biological level, specific inflammatory proteins from the interleukin-1 and TNF families appear to be the main drivers of this damage.
The statistics are concerning: people with the highest levels of inflammation (the top 20%) had a 43% higher risk of heart attack and stroke than those with the lowest levels, despite having no previous heart disease. The study showed that social factors, poverty, and mental health problems can translate directly into physical damage, silently altering the hearts of millions of people.
According to the researchers, in addition to social factors and genetic predisposition, hidden inflammation is fueled by well-known risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and excess weight. The findings suggest that in the future, anti-inflammatory medications, alongside genetic screening, could become an important tool for preventing cardiovascular disease. For now, however, lifestyle changes remain the most important line of defense.
