Stress and cardiovascular risk burden after the pandemic: current status and future prospects

Introduction: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has induced an increase in anxiety, stress and depression in the world population, prompting a re-evaluation of these well-known risk factors on cardiovascular burden. Areas covered: This short report analyzes the impact of the pandemic on stress and depression, highlighting how the phenomenon has particularly affected women and highlights the strategies that can be undertaken after the pandemic to reduce stress and depression. We have analyzed the pandemic because it has completely changed the scenario of cardiovascular risk factors with an important increase in socio-economic stressors. Expert opinion: It is still difficult to assess the damage produced on cardiovascular risk just as it is almost impossible to predict how the overwhelming and important increase in Long-Covid Syndromes will impact the population. Strong action is needed to support critical situations and to implement social campaigns aimed at restoring healthy lifestyles. Physical activity can be an easy and inexpensive tool to help cope with stress and depression.