Title:Psychosocial Risk Factors Related to Ischemic Heart Disease in Women
Volume: 22
Issue: 25
Author(s): Tina Varghese, Salim S. Hayek, Nikoloz Shekiladze, William M. Schultz and Nanette K. Wenger
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Stress, depression, female, ischemic disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis.
Abstract: Background: Psychosocial risk factors such as stress and psychiatric disorders are
known to have negative impacts on health outcomes, but their effects on ischemic heart disease,
particularly in women, remain to be fully understood despite contributing to one-third
of the population attributable risk in acute myocardial infarction. Methods: The impact of
stress, social isolation, low socioeconomic status, hostility and anger, and stress-related psychiatric
disorders on cardiovascular outcomes and the potential mechanisms that underlie
their association with ischemic heart disease, with a focus on women, is evaluated. Online
search of relevant terms, including the aforementioned risk factors, women, and ischemic
heart disease, was utilized to find recent and pertinent trials. Results: Psychosocial risk factors
increase cardiovascular risk in both women and men. However, current literature points
to a greater degree of adverse cardiovascular events in women who experience these risk
factors than in men, but the literature is not as well-defined as the data regarding traditional
risk factors and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Dedicated study of the sex differences
in ischemic heart disease incidence and recurrence, including the impact of psychosocial risk factors, is warranted
for the development of appropriate gender-specific diagnostic testing and treatment options in heart disease.