Effect of psychosocial stress on the level of anxiety, depression and behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in men

Abstract

To elucidate peculiarities of risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular diseases and frequency of arterial hypertension (AH) at place of work in men with various level of psychosocial stress. We examined 224 men (and their assistants) aged 22-55 years. Examination included analysis of risk factors, assessment of psychoemotional status (self-assessment of psychosocial stress using Reeder Stress Inventory [RSI] and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), detection of AH at working place by "Mathematical calculation" stress test. Three groups were formed according to results of RSI: with high (16.1%), medium (44.6%), and low (39.3%) level of stress. High level of stress was associated with older age (p < 0.01), stressful occupation (locomotive drivers) (p < 0.001), threat of emergency situations (p = 0.0007), history of early cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.02), insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits (p = 0.02), higher body mass (p = 0.02), insufficient sleep duration (p = 0.02), subclinical, clinical anxiety and depression, work place AH (p = 0.002).