Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that high levels of worry and anxiety in older men may increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
This problem is probably likely only to get worse, as worrying seems to be increasing due to many different factors in present day society. A study done done by Jean Twenge, Ph.D., between the 1950's and the 1980's seems to indicate this. In it children between 9 and 12 were asked to rate statements such as "I worry about what is going to happen". The study found that normal samples in the 1980's outscored psychiatric populations from the 1950's, meaning that our everyday anxiety now matches the diagnosed fears shown by those suffering from anxiety-related conditions back then.
The School recommends a number of steps which greatly reduce risks, including regular exercise and changes in diet.
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