New research shows that those who constantly worry about falling ill have a significantly higher risk of heart disease. Over 12 years, researchers studied the health data from more than 7,000 people, paying specific attention to heart health. They published their results in the journal BMJ Open. “We found there was a surprisingly strong association between levels of health anxiety and the risk of ischemic heart disease,” said Line Iden Berge, the lead researcher. “In the long run we now know there could be some severe consequences in the body.” People with this type of health anxiety — estimated to be 5-10% of the population — have a 70% higher risk of coronary artery disease, according to the study. Still, it’s unclear whether such risk is the result of health anxiety alone, or the result of more general anxiety.