Emotional Distress at Childhood Increases Heart Disease Risks Later

A healthy mind during childhood is essential to remain healthy later. Explaining this point, a new study found that experiencing constant emotional stress during childhood escalates the risk of heart disease later.

For the study, researchers included nearly 400 individuals, aged 40. All the participants were originally part of the Collaborative Perinatal Project conducted between 1959 and 1966 in the United States. The data contained details about the emotional behavior of the participants at the age of seven, BBC reported.

Cardiovascular health of the individuals at age 40 was analyzed and recorded. At the end of the study, researchers found persons who experienced high levels of emotional distress at childhood at a higher risk of developing heart disease in adulthood than others.  Women (31 percent) were found at greater risks than men (17 percent).

"Several aspects of childhood emotional functioning was associated with adulthood CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk, particularly for women," the authors concluded.  "As such, primary prevention of CVD may be associated with addressing early life emotional functioning."

However, the researchers underline the need for more research to strengthen their findings.

"We know that persistent distress can cause dysregulation of the stress response and that is something we want to look at," study leader Dr. Allison Appleton told BBC.

The study has been published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

This is not the first study to link adverse childhood experiences and health problems in adulthood. A report from the American Psychological Association (APA) released earlier found that women who experience abuse at childhood are more prone to develop metabolic syndrome in middle age. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders like obesity and high blood pressure that occurs together and increases the risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes and stroke.

A study published in Pediatrics in July found that people who experience hitting and spanking during childhood suffer from a wide range of mental and personality disorders in life.

Another study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found a link between emotional neglect in childhood and stroke risks in adulthood.