Older men, with no previous history of heart disease, increase their risk of a heart attack by as much as 40 per cent if they have longstanding anxiety problems. Research published in the January issue of the American College of Cardiology points to anxiety as a key risk factor and one that is independent of other common risk factors.

“What we are seeing is over and beyond what can be explained by blood pressure, obesity, cholesterol, age, cigarette smoking, blood sugar levels and other...