In April an interesting commentary will be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.  Researchers at the University College of London found that those in the study who claimed to be chronically bored were two and a half times more likely to die of a heart attack than those who didn’t report being particularly bored.    The initial boredom question was asked between 1985 and 1988.  Researchers tracked down the respondents in April 2009.  However, the relationship is less than cut-and-dry. When statistically adjusting for other risk factors, the effect was less pronounced, but still present. 

Though the average person may be surprised at these findings, medical professionals don’t seem to be.  They note that there is a link between depression and heart disease, and that boredom is a common symptom of depression. Being chronically bored could also be a symptom of anger suppression, a known factor in heart disease.  Also, those who are bored may be less likely to exercise and may live a more sedentary lifestyle in general.

 It seems that boredom, while perhaps not directly linked to heart disease, is a catalyst for factors that are more directly related.  It should be noted, however, that these findings represent chronically bored people.  Most people do get bored occasionally.