Stress and depression: 1.5 million Bavarians have an increased risk of heart attack due to psychological problems
Created: 08/01/2022 15:37
By: Thomas Eldersch
Mental illnesses such as stress and depression can increase the risk of a heart attack.
© IMAGO/William Perugini/Icon picture
Psychological problems and cardiovascular diseases often go hand in hand.
This is suggested by the new health report from the DAK health insurance fund.
Munich – Two years of Corona, increased living costs and an economy heading towards a recession.
Many factors can currently upset employees or affect their psyche.
This was also stated by the health insurance company DAK in its latest health report 2022.
They found that mental illnesses such as stress and depression can also have an enormous impact on the body.
Above all, the risk of a heart attack increases significantly due to psychological problems.
DAK Health Report: absenteeism due to psychological problems is increasing
According to the report, almost 50,000 people in Bavaria die every year as a result of cardiovascular disease.
"Our current health report shows that the role of stress and mental illness as a risk for heart attacks is often underestimated," says Sophie Schwab, country manager of DAK-Gesundheit.
“Absence rates due to mental illness have been increasing for years.
Depression and negative stress are a major burden on their own.
But they also literally go to the heart.”
In particular, absenteeism due to psychological stress has increased by 50 percent in the last ten years.
"Early detection and information about adequate treatment options are important," explains Stephen Aita, Medical Director and Chief Physician for Psychosomatic Medicine at the Höhenried Clinic.
"Otherwise there is a risk of acute deterioration and chronification, which will result in considerable absenteeism."
There is a striking interaction between the psyche and the heart.
DAK Country Manager Sophie Schwab
For the health report, the data of 350,000 DAK-insured persons in Bavaria and a survey by the Forsa Institute of more than 1,000 employees in Bavaria were examined.
The result is dramatic.
Every fifth respondent is at psychological risk of cardiovascular disease.
Extrapolated to the number of employees, around 1,540,000 employees in Bavaria have an increased risk of heart attack due to depression, anxiety or work stress.
In addition, people who suffer from depression, stress and anxiety disorders often have other risk factors as well.
They smoke more frequently (+19 percent), have a diagnosed metabolic disorder (+9 percent), have diabetes (+6 percent) or suffer from high blood pressure (+4 percent).
"There is a striking interaction between the psyche and the heart," says DAK regional head Schwab.
Strong increase in days absent due to cardiovascular diseases with increasing age
The report also shows that coronary artery disease (CHD) can lead to heart attacks even in middle age.
And that these are more common in workers with depression.
“For one thing, people with mental illness are more likely to have heart problems.
On the other hand, our billing data shows that cardiovascular patients are more likely to develop a mental illness," explains Schwab.
Four percent of men with a diagnosis of depression are also being treated with CHD, but only 2.2 percent are without depression.
The difference is also clear for women.
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Cardiovascular diseases also often lead to absenteeism.
These increase with age.
On average, there were 51 absence days due to CHD per 100 insured in the 45-49 year old male group.
In the group of 55-59 year olds, the absences were already 138 days.
DAK country manager Schwab therefore sees companies as having a duty to keep an eye on and protect stress, strain and the mental and physical health of their employees.
You can use this app to determine your heart attack risk (video)
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Stress at work leads to anxiety and depression
Stress at work often leads to anxiety and depression.
In this context one speaks of the so-called graphics crisis.
She means a gap between performance and reward.
Ten percent of those surveyed in Bavaria are affected overall - women twice as often as men: They achieve a lot or at least perceive it as such and at the same time experience little appreciation.
15 percent feel that their remuneration is not appropriate and just as many feel that the recognition they receive from their superiors is too meager.
Conclusion of the health insurance company: There would still be too few offers from employers for workplace health promotion.
Prevention is very important here, emphasizes Schwab.
You could also seek help from health insurance companies.
In addition, smoking less, a healthier diet, more relaxation and a healthier working life significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition, everyone with statutory health insurance from the age of 35 is entitled to a free health check every three years.
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