Associations of high stress levels with the risk of allcause and cardiovascular mortality in postworking age adults
A. E. Imaeva,
L. I. Gomanova,
Yu. A. Balanova,
N. A. Imaeva,
A. V. Kapustina,
S. A. Shalnova,
O. M. Drapkina https://doi.org/10.15829/1728-8800-2025-4465
EDN: TUHVER
Abstract
Aim. To study the associations between high stress levels and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in post-working age adults.
Material and methods. This representative sample of post-working age Moscow population (652 men aged ≥63 years, 920 women aged ≥58 years) from the Stress, Aging, and Health in Russia (SAHR) study. Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). High stress levels were defined at score of ≥21 for men and ≥24 for women, corresponding to the fifth quintile of stress levels. During the median follow-up period of 13 years, there were 832 and 442 all-cause and cardiovascular deaths, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14.0.
Results. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors and noncommunicable diseases, high stress levels were associated with a 1,24-fold (p=0,049) increase in the risk of all-cause mortality among men and a 1,32-fold (p=0,02) increase among women. Regarding the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, only women showed significant associations with high stress levels as follows: hazard ratio (HR) =1,38 (p=0,049).
Conclusion. A study among post-working age individuals revealed a significant impact of psychosocial factors, particularly stress, on the risk of all-cause mortality, which must be considered when developing preventive strategies for the elderly.
Keywords
psycho-emotional stress,
Perceived Stress Scale-10,
risk factor,
noncommunicable diseases,
aging,
post-working age,
risk of allcause and cardiovascular mortality disease
Supporting agencies: This work was carried out as part of the state assignment "Development of an expert system for assessing the successful aging of the Russian population, taking into account psychological and physical health as a tool for predicting population and individual risk" (Registration number: 124013100888-0).
About the Authors
A. E. Imaeva
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
L. I. Gomanova
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
Yu. A. Balanova
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
N. A. Imaeva
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
A. V. Kapustina
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
S. A. Shalnova
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
O. M. Drapkina
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petroverigsky Lane, 10, bld. 3, Moscow, 101990
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Supplementary files
What is already known about the subject?
- Current research demonstrates a significant impact of stress on the risk of adverse events, particularly cardiovascular events, among the adult population.
- The issue of stress in the context of healthy aging strategy is a relevant area for public health.
What might this study add?
- Among middle-aged and elderly participants (<75 years), 18,6% experienced high levels of stress, while among elderly individuals (≥75 years), it was 34,1%.
- Among men over working age (≥63 years), the prevalence of high levels of stress was higher in those without higher education, with a low income, and prior myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Among women over working age (≥58 years), the prevalence of high stress was greater in those with a low income, a physical labor job, and a history of cerebrovascular accident.
- In a multivariate analysis among post-working age people, high stress levels were associated with an increase in all-cause death risk by 1,24 (p=0,049) among men and by 1,32 (p=0,02) among women, and with a 1,38-fold (p=0,049) increase in cardiovascular death risk among women.
Review
For citations:
Imaeva A.E., Gomanova L.I., Balanova Yu.A., Imaeva N.A., Kapustina A.V., Shalnova S.A., Drapkina O.M. Associations of high stress levels with the risk of allcause and cardiovascular mortality in postworking age adults. Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention. 2025;24(9):4465. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/1728-8800-2025-4465. EDN: TUHVER
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