Other Titles
Inflammation, Depression, Fatigue & Associations with Recurrent Myocardial Infarction [Poster Title]
Abstract
Introduction: Heart disease is a global concern with approximately nine million deaths per year and a high burden of disability. Within the first year following an initial myocardial infarction (MI), individuals have a 10% chance of recurrence (Khan et al., 2020) Following MI, a cascade of immune responses leads to persistent inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes detrimental effects, including remodeling and continued muscle damage (Garrels et al., 2023). Factors such as stress and fatigue contribute to this chronic inflammatory process. Understanding chronic inflammation after MI and contributing factors is essential for improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular recovery. This study explored the predictive value of key inflammatory biomarkers and psychological distress with MI recurrence.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined data from 120 adults post MI. Multiple linear regression was used to model MI recurrence (> 2 heart attacks). Predictors included chronic inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF- α, CCL2, Chitinase), depression, total fatigue, age, sex, and body mass index.
Results: The model explained that higher levels of IL-6 (β = 0.36, p = 0.033), TNF-α (β = 0.32, p = .049), and CCL2 (β = 0.07, p = .021) were significantly associated with increased odds of MI recurrence. IL-8 (β = –0.21, p = .012) showed a protective association. Depression (β = 0.05, p = .048) emerged as an independent predictor. Fatigue, BMI, age, race, and Chitinase were not statistically significant in this model.
Discussion: Findings support the role of inflammatory and psychological pathways in predicting recurrence. Elevated IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2 are consistent with heightened immune activation, while IL-8 has a protective role. Depression was significantly associated with recurrence, underscoring the need for psychological interventions.
Conclusions: Post MI there is a need to monitor chronic inflammation and biobehavioral factors, particularly depression. Addressing these may reduce recurrence risk. This adds to the evidence of psycho-neuro-immune models. The findings support nurse led screening protocols for depressive symptoms and inflammatory risk in patients after a heart attack.
Notes
References:
Garrels, E., Kainth,T., Silva, B., Yadave, G., Gill, G., Salehi, M. & Gurturu, S., (2023). Pathophysiological mechanisms of post-myocardial infarction depression and inflammation. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1225794
Khan, M., Hashim, M., Mustafa, H., Baniyas, M., Al Suwaid,i S., AlKatheeri, R., Alblooshi, F., Almatrooshi, M., Alzaabi, M., Al Darmaki, R. & Lootah, S. (2020). Global epidemiology of ischemic heart disease: Results from the global burden of disease study. Cureus,12(7). doi:10.7759/cureus.9349.
Mehta, N., deGoma, E., & Shapiro, M. (2024). IL-6 and cardiovascular risk: A narrative review. Current Atherosclerosis Report, 27(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-024-01259-7
Roohi, E., Jaafari, N. & Hashemian, F (2021). On the inflammatory hypothesis of depression: What is the role of IL-6 in the middle of chaos? Journal of Neuroinflammation, 18(45). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02100-7
Zhang, H. & Dhalla, N. (2024). The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(2). doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021082
Sigma Membership
Gamma Iota
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Stress and Coping, Myocardial Infarction, Cytokines, Inflammation, Mental Depression
Recommended Citation
Horne, Carolyn E. and Smith, Christopher M., "Chronic Inflammatory Cytokines and Depression: Their Role in Myocardial Infarction Recurrence" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 62.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/62
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-10
Chronic Inflammatory Cytokines and Depression: Their Role in Myocardial Infarction Recurrence
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Introduction: Heart disease is a global concern with approximately nine million deaths per year and a high burden of disability. Within the first year following an initial myocardial infarction (MI), individuals have a 10% chance of recurrence (Khan et al., 2020) Following MI, a cascade of immune responses leads to persistent inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes detrimental effects, including remodeling and continued muscle damage (Garrels et al., 2023). Factors such as stress and fatigue contribute to this chronic inflammatory process. Understanding chronic inflammation after MI and contributing factors is essential for improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular recovery. This study explored the predictive value of key inflammatory biomarkers and psychological distress with MI recurrence.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined data from 120 adults post MI. Multiple linear regression was used to model MI recurrence (> 2 heart attacks). Predictors included chronic inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF- α, CCL2, Chitinase), depression, total fatigue, age, sex, and body mass index.
Results: The model explained that higher levels of IL-6 (β = 0.36, p = 0.033), TNF-α (β = 0.32, p = .049), and CCL2 (β = 0.07, p = .021) were significantly associated with increased odds of MI recurrence. IL-8 (β = –0.21, p = .012) showed a protective association. Depression (β = 0.05, p = .048) emerged as an independent predictor. Fatigue, BMI, age, race, and Chitinase were not statistically significant in this model.
Discussion: Findings support the role of inflammatory and psychological pathways in predicting recurrence. Elevated IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2 are consistent with heightened immune activation, while IL-8 has a protective role. Depression was significantly associated with recurrence, underscoring the need for psychological interventions.
Conclusions: Post MI there is a need to monitor chronic inflammation and biobehavioral factors, particularly depression. Addressing these may reduce recurrence risk. This adds to the evidence of psycho-neuro-immune models. The findings support nurse led screening protocols for depressive symptoms and inflammatory risk in patients after a heart attack.
Description
This study examines how chronic inflammation and psychological distress influence recurrent cardiovascular events in adults. Inflammatory cytokines and depressive symptoms predicted myocardial infarction recurrence. Findings support nurse screening protocols for chronic inflammation and depression in cardiovascular care.