As a casino gamer or sports bettor, you already know that gambling losses can be heartbreaking, but you may have also heard that there is a more literal link between the activity and the body’s second most vital organ (brain being the first). The news is particularly concerning to anyone who may have, or be at risk of, any of the following:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Heart Failure
- Heart Valve Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Cardiomyopathy
If the gambling heart problem connection holds true, you realize that the call to quit is as loud as it is with respect to dietary and stress-inducing activity restrictions. Of added concern, is that you may have tried to take a break from gambling in the past due to debt or other symptoms of a problem, but have not been very successful in that goal. While we address the latter (an inability to abstain) at the conclusion of this article, we will first take a look at what science has to say about gambling with an unhealthy heart.
Overview of How Problem Gambling Can Threaten Heart Health for Vulnerable Americans
Link Between Problem Gambling and Heart Problems
Studies confirm that there is a link between gambling, namely problem gambling, and increased risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events. Science Direct reports that problem gamblers have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than controls at a rate of 18% versus 12%. Below is a summary of potentially contributing factors:
Increased Heart Rate and Stress Hormone Release: Whether winning or losing, habitual gamblers experience a physiological responses characterized by an increased heart rate and the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which together form a harmful cocktail for anyone who is susceptible to heart conditions.
Lifestyle Factors: Habitual gamblers tend to make unhealthy lifestyle choices. There is a notable lack of physical activity and poor eating habits (i.e. snacking while gambling) in addition to a greater prevalence of consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances. In addition, problem gamblers have worse sleeping habits when compared to the general population, and also exhibit higher instances of chronic pain. All of this can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. Click here to learn more on the physical consequences of problem gambling.
Pathophysiological Changes: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified potential pathophysiological mechanisms (how disease or disorders disrupt normal bodily functions) that link gambling to increased levels of anxiety and noradrenergic metabolites. Noradrenergic metabolites are the breakdown products of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine’s breakdown products play a critical role in heart health. When norepinephrine is released during gambling-induced stress, there are notable increases heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output. This process can lead to adverse effects on the heart, including increased risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction.
Further, research indicates that electronic gaming (a category that online gambling can be placed within) has been known to precipitate lethal cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible teenagers. While such incidences appear to be low, further investigation is highly recommended. Given the rise of teenage gambling behavior in the United States, parents of teens with an irregular heartbeat (and any teen reading this) must be diligent in ensuring that gambling is off-limits. The stakes are simply too high to risk participation.
Mental Health Issues That Cooccur with Problem Gambling that Connect to Heart Concerns
Problematic casino gaming and sports betting and any other form of problem gambling is known to cooccur with the following mental health concerns:
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | Anger and Irritability |
| Anxiety | Bipolar Disorder |
| Depression | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Schizophrenia |
| Suicidal Ideation | Substance Abuse |
While we have touched on gambling-induced anxiety’s role in cardiovascular health in the first section of this article, heart problems are associated with each of the mental health concerns (which cooccur with problem gambling) in the table above.
For instance, Harvard Medical reports that people with ADHD, a condition marked by impulsive behavior (read: gambling connection) may be more likely to have cardiovascular disease than people without the disorder, with a prevalence rate of 38% (ADHD) compared to 24% (no ADHD). The same is relatively true for people with Bipolar Disorder, with the NIH reporting that people with BP have a 2 x greater risk of cardiovascular mortality when compared to the general population. The NIH also indicates that individuals with OCD have a moderately increased risk of CVD-related morbidity. Of particular note is the relationship between PTSD and heart issues, namely among active and retired members of the military who are predisposed to the development of problematic gambling behavior. In a study of nearly 2,000 male veterans, it was found that each standard deviation increase in PTSD symptom severity is associated with an 18% increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), even after adjusting for known coronary risk factors. Similar data is found with chronic anger, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and suicidality.
What You Need to Do Today
It’s VERY clear that anyone with an underlying heart condition should steer clear of gambling, especially if predisposed to developing problematic gambling behavior, be it through one of these factors (click here) or if there is a history of problem gambling in the family (view more). So what should you do if you struggle to abstain?
In addition to maintaining any regime put forth by your physician and nutritionist, you are encouraged to seek immediate assistance to quit gambling. This can be effectively and expediently accomplished through counseling services provided by a therapist who specializes in the treatment of problematic gambling along with comorbid mental health concerns that may contribute both to problem gambling and cardiovascular issues.
Given that a heart attack or cardiovascular event can happen at any time, even without warning symptoms, there is no time to delay treatment. Reach out via your preferred form of contact below to schedule a FREE assessment for problem gambling and cooccurring issues so that we can get you started on a customized mental/behavioral health treatment plan.
Overcome Gambling for the Sake of Heart Health
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
OR
Email help@kindbridge.com
