Inflammation, Atherosclerosis and Hypertension: The Impact of Depression and Stress on their Complex Relationship

Abstract

This future perspective analyzes the complex relationship between inflammation and atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. The involvement of inflammation in atherosclerosis has led to research therapies that target inflammation to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease. This aspect has recently been included in the treatment management of residual cardiovascular risk. The recent pandemic has exacerbated cardiovascular risk both through an increase in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and through the reduction of cardiovascular screening. What actions to take? Primary prevention campaigns for healthy subjects with specific attention to young people.

Plain language summary

What is this article talking about? This article talks about how inflammation, atherosclerosis (a condition where arteries get narrow), and high blood pressure are connected. It looks deeply into how these things work together and can lead to heart problems. What is the point of the study? Learning about how inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis has made scientists study new ways to treat or prevent heart diseases. This is now a part of how we think about treating the risk of heart problems. How can we check the risk of heart problems in women? To make the risk of heart problems less, it’s really important to start looking at and dealing with things that might cause these problems early on. Pregnancy is a good time to start doing this for young women. What changed because of the pandemic? The pandemic made it harder to prevent heart problems, and it made people more stressed. Women, especially, faced more challenges during and after the pandemic in terms of society and money.

Keywords::

• atherosclerosis
• depression
• hypertension
• inflammation
• pandemic
• stress
• women

Author contributions

MM Coronelli conceived of the idea at the basis of the article, AV Mattioli, F Coppi and MM Coronelli developed the different part of the manuscript and performed the final supervision. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgments

We thank M Blondell and R Pescatori for the support provided.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.