Women experiencing high psychosocial stress, including caregiving responsibilities and limited emotional support, show early signs of heart tissue changes linked to cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The research did not find similar associations in men.
The study suggests that stress affects cardiovascular health differently in women compared to men. Researchers emphasize the need for risk assessments to include psychosocial factors and mental well-being.
"From an epidemiological point of view, we have known for about two decades that stress is an important risk factor in cardiovascular health for people born female. But with this research stream, we're really aiming to understand how stress physiologically impacts the heart," said Dr. Judy Luu, Assistant Professor at the Division of Clinical and Translational Research at the McGill Faculty of Medicine and principal investigator of the study.
Earlier this year, researchers from McGill and Concordia universities published findings linking early signs of heart inflammation and perceived social status in women.
In this recent study, MRI scans were used to analyze heart tissue in 219 adults aged 43 to 65, about half of whom were women. The scans measured T1 and T2 markers associated with cardiac disease. Data collected included demographic information as well as perceived stress levels, caregiving roles within households, and emotional support.
Participants were divided into two groups: those with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease but no diagnosed heart disease, and healthy controls. Among women reporting high psychosocial stress in both groups, MRI scans showed higher T1 marker values than those with lower stress levels. In the group at risk for cardiovascular disease, stressed women also had higher T2 marker values. These differences were not seen among male participants.
Dr. Luu noted that while these marker values did not exceed clinical thresholds for abnormality, their elevation warrants further investigation because they could indicate a worse prognosis over time.
She explained that sex differences observed may be due not only to social factors but also biological ones: "Research points to the fact that there are biological differences in the way females physically handle stress," said Luu.
The next phase will examine blood markers and other biological explanations such as hormonal influences. The team aims for their work to contribute to improved interventions for women's heart health.
