Psychoemotional stress as a risk factor for the development of noncommunicable diseases

Abstract

Psychoemotional stress (PES) significantly contributes to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) morbidity and mortality in addition to the traditional risk factors (high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, high blood glucose, smoking, and other risk factors). According to experts, PES increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases development by 1.5—2.5 times. In this review the most important associations between PES and some NCDs at the population level of different countries and communities are described. The inconsistency in the results of individual studies, which may be due to the lack of a common approach to the evaluation of perceived PES, as well as to the initial different designs of researches, was noted. The identification of associations between PES and the development risk of certain NCDs is essential for the preventive programs formation to reduce the risk of premature death from NCDs. PES correction, provocative stress factors’ reduction along with the traditional risk factors’ management are the main components for a comprehensive approach to the NCDs prevention.