Mind and heart. Psychosocial factors of cardiovascular risk.

Abstract

Systematic research into the relationship between the heart and the mind began in the late 1950s with the pioneering work of Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, two San Francisco cardiologists who coined the term Pattern Behavioral Type A (PCTA). Since that date, a large amount of research has been generated between psychosocial factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The factors studied that appear to be the most important are: a) PCTA, b) Anger and hostility, c) Psychological stress, d) Work pressure, e) Vital exhaustion, f) Social isolation and lack of support, g) Depression, h) Anxiety, I) Cardiac denial. Risk assessment involves a group of psychosocial factors that increase vulnerability to the development of CVD. These factors include individual predispositions, such as stress reactivity, as well as characteristics of the social and physical environment.(3a) In this brief review we will highlight from the scientific literature, the link between these factors and CVD, followed by conclusions regarding the validity of these relationships in the active and thriving field of Cardiac Psychology (1).