Perceived stress as a predictor of the self-reported new diagnosis of symptomatic CHD In older women

Abstract

This article describes one aspect of a prospective cohort study of 10,432 women aged between 70 and 75 years. After a 3-year period, 503 women self-reported a new diagnosis by a doctor of angina or myocardial infarction (symptomatic coronary heart disease [CHD]). Time one psychosocial variables (Duke Social Support Index, time pressure, Perceived Stress Scale, Mental Health Index, having a partner, educational attainment, and location of residence) were analyzed using univariate binary logistic regression for their ability to predict subsequent symptomatic CHD. Of these variables, the Duke Social Support Index, Perceived Stress Scale and the Mental Health Index were found to be significant predictors of symptomatic CHD diagnosis. Only the Perceived Stress Scale, however, proved to be a significant independent predictor. After controlling for time one nonpsychosocial variables, as well as the frequency of family doctor visits, perceived stress remained a significant predictor of the new diagnosis of symptomatic CHD in this cohort of older women over a 3-year period.

Perceived stress and everyday memory complaints among older adult women

“…On a broader level, the current study adds to the large literature on the adverse effects of perceived stress, ranging from susceptibility to the common cold and other impaired immune responses (Cohen, Tyrrell, & Smith, 1993), to slower wound recovery (Ebrecht et al, 2004), to symptomatic coronary heart disease (Strodl, Kenardy, & Aroney, 2003). From an intervention perspective, meditation (Lane, Seskevich, & Pieper, 2007), yoga (Banerjee et al, 2007;Michalsen et al, 2005), and support groups/psychotherapy (Bastani, Hidarnia, Kazemnejad, Vafaei, & Kashanian, 2005;Chen, Tseng, Chou, & Wang, 2000) have each been shown to reduce perceived stress.…”

The 5-Item Mental Health Index Predicts the Initial Diagnosis of Nonfatal Stroke in Older Women

“…10,11,19 It is interesting to note that the finding that the MHI-5 predicted the new diagnosis of stroke in older women contrasts with our previous finding that perceived stress predicted the new diagnosis of coronary heart disease in the same sample of women. 33 This suggests that it is not just negative affect that is a general risk factor for any cardiovascular disease but that specific forms of nega- tive affect may well be unique risk factors for specific forms of cardiovascular disease. This then implies differing mechanisms linking the MHI-5 to the new onset of stroke and perceived stress to the new onset of coronary heart disease in older women.…”

Evaluating Psychosocial Variables and Their Link to Hypertension Using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

“…Anger 24, and perceived stress [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90] have been associated with higher blood pressure and poor health outcomes. Most evidence has been limited to observational research.…”

“…[86][87][88][89][90] However, this conclusion has primarily been based on cross-sectional research where the independent variable (perceived stress) was not manipulated and variables were measured only once. Thus, these results must be interpreted accordingly.…”