Family Stress and The Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Working-Age Population 25-64 Years (WHO program MONICA-Psychosocial)

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the influence of family stress on the risk of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction and stroke) in an open population aged 25–64 years in Russia / Siberia. Methods: Within the framework of the III screening of WHO’s MONICA-psychosocial program, a random representative sample of the population of both sexes of 25-64 years of Novosibirsk in 1994 (men n = 657, mean age 44,3 ± 0,4y, response 82.1%; women: n = 689, mean age 45,4 ± 0,4y, response 72.5%) was examined. The screening included: socio-demographic data, the definition of the family stress. New-onset cases of MI and stroke in women - 15 and 35 cases and in men - 30 and 22 cases, respectively detected in the cohort over follow-up period in frame of budgetary theme № AAAA-A17-117112850280-2. Results: In the open population aged of 25-64 years the prevalence of high family stress was higher in men (31.5%) than women (20.9%). The risk of myocardial infarction in men and women experiencing stressful situations in the family was 5.9 and 5.58-fold higher, respectively over 16-year period. The most significant risk factors for the development of myocardial infarction were divorce (HR = 3.9) and widowhood (HR = 6.3). The risk of developing a stroke was 3.45-fold higher in men and 3.52-fold higher in women with family stress. The risk of developing stroke was higher among those with high school and elementary education levels, both in men (HR = 3.9 and HR = 6.3) and women (HR = 2.87 and HR = 3.33). Conclusion: Stress in the family is more common in men within the working-age population. Family stress increases the risk of developing both myocardial infarction and stroke among men and women.