Imperial College London study links chronic inflammation to heart disease risk

Researchers from Imperial College London have identified a link between continuous daily stress and a silent health risk: low-grade chronic inflammation. According to a study published in the ‘European Journal of Preventive Cardiology’, this inflammation can lead to structural changes in the heart, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Analyzing data from 488,079 individuals in the United Kingdom, the study examined various factors including genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions such as financial difficulties and air pollution. The findings indicate that high inflammation levels are associated with smaller heart chambers, thicker heart walls, and reduced blood pumping efficiency.

Participants with the highest inflammation levels faced a 43% higher risk of major cardiovascular events compared to those with the lowest levels. Researchers noted that these physiological changes may precede heart failure, suggesting that millions of people may be experiencing hidden inflammation that gradually damages heart structure.