Chronic Stress and Chronic Disease

The past decade has seen rigorous studies of the relationship between stress, inflammation, and chronic disease. A full 75–90% of human disease, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, is related to stress and inflammation. It is postulated that chronic stress leads to glucocorticoid receptor resistance and, in turn, the inability to down-regulate inflammatory responses.

Research indicates that chronic stress, whether experienced in early life or as an adult, is linked to increased coronary heart disease risk. Specifically, childhood adversity, including physical and sexual abuse, has been shown to relate to higher morbidity of cardiovascular events in women. Adult-related cardiovascular disease has been correlated with work-related stressors, poor sleep, and emotional disturbances. Those suffering from chronic psychological stress and inflammation also appear to have a greater risk of depression, autoimmune diseases, upper respiratory infections, and poor wound healing.

Research suggests that some stress-related diseases can be prevented or improved through lifestyle changes.

In addition, a link between heart disease and depression cannot be explained by a common genetic disposition, according to a large study published in 2019 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The same researchers found that depression–coronary heart disease comorbidity could be linked with early-life factors influencing inflammatory regulation, such as impaired fetal development or childhood maltreatment/trauma.

“Taking a holistic view of a person’s health—such as looking at heart disease and depression together—enables us to understand how factors like traumatic experiences and the environment impact on both our physical and mental health,” said Dr. Sophie Dix, director of research at MQ, in a press release issued by the University of Cambridge.

Researchers have also speculated for years that disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are related to stress and inflammation. A study conducted in 2018 with mice suggests that chronic stress disturbs gut microbiota, triggering an immune system response that leads to colitis.

Research suggests that some stress-related diseases have early warning signs and can be prevented or improved through lifestyle changes. Mounting evidence points to the benefits of regular exercise in preventing or improving the metabolic and psychological comorbidities brought about by chronic stress. A 2017 study on yoga and meditation suggests that improvements in stress and inflammatory response could be achieved by these modalities, beneficially affecting complex lifestyle diseases like depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.