According to a study, around 100,000 people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have an increased risk of heart attack as a result of depression, anxiety or work stress. Those affected also showed increased physical risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or obesity, the health insurance company DAK said on Monday, with reference to its 2022 health report.
People who are affected by depression, anxiety disorders or work stress are more likely to report other risk factors. They smoked more often (plus 12 percentage points) than people who are not affected by anxiety and stress. Elevated cholesterol levels are also much more common among them (plus 16 percentage points).
According to its own statements, the DAK had data from around 67,000 employed insured persons in the north-east analyzed for the study. In addition, the Forsa Institute surveyed 200 employees in MV.
According to the information, around 8,200 people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania die of cardiovascular disease every year. “Our current health report shows that the role of stress and mental illness as a risk for heart attacks is often underestimated,” explained DAK country manager Sabine Hansen. The risk of a heart attack in depression is similar to that of being overweight.
According to the DAK, absenteeism due to mental illnesses has been increasing in MV for a long time – by 55 percent in the past ten years.
