Caregiving strain and estimated risk for stroke and coronary heart disease among spouse caregivers: differential effects by race and sex.
OBJECTIVE
Psychosocial stress has been widely studied as a risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) but little is known about the differential effects of stress on stroke and CHD risk by race and sex. Caregiving for a disabled spouse has been associated with increased mortality and CHD risk, but the association of caregiving strain with stroke and CHD risk across race and sex is unknown.


METHODS
Participants in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study who were providing in-home caregiving to a disabled spouse reported on caregiving strain (high, some, or none), depressive symptoms, social network, education, and age. Caregiving strain groups were compared on the Framingham Stroke Risk Score (N=716) and Framingham CHD Risk Score (N=607), which estimate the projected 10-year risk of incident stroke and ischemic heart disease, respectively.


RESULTS
High caregiving strain was associated with a 23% higher covariate-adjusted estimated stroke risk (11.06% for caregivers with no strain versus 13.62% risk for high-strain caregivers). This association was stronger in men, particularly African American men with high caregiving strain (26.95% estimated 10-year stroke risk). Caregiving strain was not associated with CHD risk scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregiving strain is significantly associated with higher estimated stroke risk with greatest effects for men, particularly African American men, providing caregiving to their wives. Male spouse caregivers may need special caregiving support. Prospective longitudinal studies should examine how sex and race may moderate the impact of stress on stroke and CHD risk.
Haley
William E
WE
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla 33620-8100, USA. whaley@bcs.usf.edu
Roth
David L
DL
Howard
George
G
Safford
Monika M
MM
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*