According to new research presented at the ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2021 conference, men who experience vital exhaustion are more likely to have a heart attack. This risk was most prevalent in single, never married, divorced, and widowed men.
The study used data from the World Health Organization (WHO) MONICA Project. The Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire adopted by the MONICA protocol was used to test symptoms of vital exhaustion. Participants were grouped according to their level of vital exhaustion: none, moderate, or high.
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After a follow-up of 14 years looking at the incidence of heart attack, it was found that 67% of the men had vital exhaustion. Nearly 74% of men with high blood pressure had vital exhaustion.
“Vital exhaustion refers to excessive fatigue, feelings of demoralization, and increased irritability,” said study author Dr. Dmitriy Panov. “It is thought to be a response to intractable problems in people’s lives, particularly when they are unable to adapt to prolonged exposure to psychological stressors.”
Overall, the group of men with moderate or high levels of vital exhaustion had a 2.7-fold greater risk of a heart attack within five years, a 2.25 higher risk within 10 years, and a 2.1 raised risk within 14 years.
Relationship Status
After adjusting for social and economic factors, it was found that the risk of heart attack linked with exhaustion was also higher in never married, divorced, and widowed men compared to married men. The risk of a heart attack related to exhaustion was 2.2-fold higher in those with an elementary school education compared to men with a university degree. Younger men were less affected, with 55–64-year-olds having the highest risk.
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Speaking about the influence of marital status, Dr. Panov said: “Living alone indicates less social support, which we know from our prior studies is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke.”
These findings do indicate a pattern, showing social disadvantages and how they relate to vital exhaustion and greater risk of heart disease. When assessing risk, physicians should take these factors into account and include screenings for vital exhaustion.
Researchers believe that efforts to improve well-being and reduce stress at home and at work can help to reduce exhaustion. By increasing social support, people can also become less vulnerable to stress. Community involvement is a great way for single men to get more socially active and help fill the risk gap. Healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management are also all measures that can go a long way to reducing exhaustion and lowering risk for cardiovascular disease.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
