Parenting Tips: Childhood Stress Linked to Cardiovascular Problems in Adulthood

New research reveals that childhood stress can cause heart-related complications in the long run. Childhood stress can cause the arteries to harden which can potentially lead to serious cardiovascular impairments in adulthood.

According to New York Times, researchers from Finland conducted a study on early childhood stress. The researchers gathered the data of more than 300 participants aged between 12 to 18 years old which was published in JAMA Pediatrics. The stress level for each participant was calculated which was then based on a number of indicators. The stress indicators included the participant's financial status, the family's emotional standing, parental behavior, and other aspects that created a negative traumatic impact on the child's life.

As the study progressed, it was revealed that by the time the participants reached the age of 40 to 46, most of them revealed the signs of underlying coronary artery calcification. The health condition can eventually lead to a more serious cardiovascular impairment which can have a permanent long-term effect.

Aside from the researchers from Finland, Science Daily released an article which pointed out the long-term effects of childhood stress on the brain. The study lead by Jamie Hanson pointed out that extreme stress during childhood can negatively affect the brain's reward system in the long run.

"We found that greater levels of cumulative stress during childhood and adolescence predicted lower reward-related ventral striatum activity in adulthood," Hanson stated. "In participants with the greatest levels of early stress, we saw the lowest levels of activity in the ventral striatum in response to a reward."

Aside from heart complications published by the researchers from Finland, Dr. Hanson and his team suggested that childhood stress can lead to chronic depression in adults. Hanson and his team focused on the stress levels of kindergartners and third graders. They were them able to come into conclusion that their brain activity revealed a high risk of chronic depression and anxiety.