Financial strain is associated with poorer cardiovascular health: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Psychosocial stress is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The relationship between financial strain, a toxic form of psychosocial stress, and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is not well established. We examined whether financial strain was associated with poorer CVH in a multi-ethnic cohort free of CVD at baseline. This was a cross-sectional analysis of 6,453 adults aged 45-84 years from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Financial strain was assessed by questionnaire and responses were categorized as yes or no. CVH was measured from 7 metrics (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure). A CVH score of 14 was calculated by assigning points to the categories of each metric (poor = 0 points, intermediate = 1 point, ideal = 2 points). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association of financial strain with the CVH score (inadequate 0-8, average 9-10, and optimal 11-14 points) adjusting for sociodemographic factors, depression and anxiety. The mean age (SD) was 62 (10) and 53% were women. Financial strain was reported by 25% of participants. Participants who reported financial strain had lower odds of average (OR, 0.82 95% CI, 0.71, 0.94) and optimal (0.73 0.62, 0.87) CVH scores. However, in the fully adjusted model, the association was only significant for optimal CVH scores (0.81, 0.68-0.97). Financial strain was associated with poorer CVH. More research is needed to understand this relationship so the burden of CVD can be decreased, particularly among people experiencing financial hardship.