The Impact of Psychological and Social Stress on General and Public Health.

Alghoraibi, Ahmad Abdullah; Alnumair, Mutaib Ali Mohammad; Faqeeh, Hanan Saleh Abduallah; Al-Araibi, Fahd Saad Salem; Al Hawsawi, Jamilah Hashem Yousef; Alrafie, Amani Abdulrahman; Bukhary, Areej Mohammed; Almutairi, Maha Mohammed Helal; AL Harbi, Suliman Turaikhm Aqeel; Alotibi, Mashael Mohammad Fahad; Aloqaili, Badriah Abdullah; Alotaibi, Munirah Dulaym

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2024.298224.9919

The Impact of Psychological and Social Stress on General and Public Health.

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

¹ Badr III Health Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

² Long Term Care Hospital, , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

³ Al-Noor Specialized Hospital in Mecca, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

⁴ Human resources management in community health. First assembly Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

⁵ Dawadmi General Hospital, Dawadmi, Saudi Arabia

⁶ Imam Abdul Rahman Al-Faisal Hospital, , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/ejchem.2024.298224.9919

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to explore the extensive impact of psychological stress on health, focusing on cognitive functions, cardiovascular health, and immune responses. By synthesizing findings from recent research, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms through which chronic stress affects these domains and propose potential pathways for intervention. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, examining studies on stress and its impact on prospective memory (PM), autonomic nervous system, mitochondria, hormones, cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure reactivity and heart rate variability), and immune function. Key studies involving neuroimaging, physiological monitoring, and biochemical analyses were included to provide a holistic understanding of the stress-health relationship. Results: Chronic psychological stress impairs high-order cognitive functions, particularly PM, through hippocampal dysfunction mediated by glucocorticoid dysregulation. Cardiovascular health is compromised by stress-induced autonomic imbalance, leading to elevated blood pressure and reduced heart rate variability. This imbalance contributes to increased allostatic load and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, stress modulates immune responses by activating the HPA axis, resulting in altered inflammation levels and immune dysfunction. Conclusion: The findings highlight the pervasive impact of psychological stress on multiple health domains. Chronic stress leads to significant cognitive impairments, cardiovascular dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of stress on health. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to stress management, considering individual differences in stress responses and resilience.

Keywords