Stock market volatility associated with higher death rate

UF Health Podcasts

Scientists are suggesting that we all might have a stake in the stock market even if we’ve never owned a share in any company.

Our very health might be impacted.

Chinese scientists found in a recent study that stock market volatility is associated with a higher death rate from cardiovascular illnesses like stroke or a heart attack.

The mortality risk is most pronounced when stocks go down, especially in a bear market. A look at Chinese death records between 2013 and 2019 found death from heart disease rises about 1%. Suicides rise by 1.77%.

While those percentages appear small, the numbers are not: There were 12.6 million deaths from heart attacks, stroke and suicide in the six-year span.

Losing money and seeing nest eggs diminish causes heart-taxing stress and depression.

The surprise is that mortality also ticks up to a lesser extent when the market rises. Researchers theorize that good news also makes the heart pound.

It’s important to note death records do not show who owned market shares. So, the risk is shared even by those who don’t know the stock market from the supermarket. That seems a tad unfair, like avoiding a rollercoaster because of a fear of heights only to have one drop on your head as you wait on an amusement park bench.

Unfortunately, market volatility affects society and the economy at large. Researchers believe this pendulum of angst and excitement might extend to any nation with a big market, including the United States.

Scientists suggest maintaining the right perspective on economic swings. Pay attention to your mental health. Keep your cool.

And perhaps avoid the financial news when feeling anxious.