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Role of Stress and Psychosocial Determinants on Women's Cardiovascular Risk and Disease Development
Jose R Medina-Inojosa1, Shravya Vinnakota2, Mariana Garcia1
11 Division of Preventive Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects more women than men, with worse outcomes. Addressing psychological well-being and stress is crucial for improving cardiac health in women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death for women, often with more severe consequences than in men.
- Psychosocial factors and stress are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to CVD development and progression.
- Existing awareness campaigns, like Go Red for Women®, highlight women's CVD burden but may not fully address psychological aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the accumulating evidence on the role of psychological well-being in cardiac outcomes.
- To emphasize the importance of stress management as a CVD risk factor, particularly in women.
- To highlight the need for improved physician awareness and patient engagement regarding psychological factors in CVD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining sex-based differences in vascular response to stress.
- Analysis of research on psychosocial stressors as independent risk factors for CVD.
- Synthesis of evidence linking psychological well-being to improved cardiac outcomes.
Main Results:
- Women experience worse outcomes from CVD compared to men.
- Sex-based differences exist in vascular and endothelial responses to mental stress.
- Psychosocial stressors are independent risk factors for CVD, and psychological well-being may improve cardiac outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Psychological well-being may offer protective effects for cardiac health, independent of traditional risk factors.
- Stress management and positive physician-patient engagement are critical for improving cardiovascular outcomes in women.
- Further research and increased physician advocacy are needed to address stress as a CVD risk factor, especially in disproportionately affected women.
Abstract:
The notion that cardiovascular disease (CVD) primarily occurs in men is slowly disappearing. More women than men die of CVD every year, and when women survive, the burden and consequences are worse than in men. Markers of stress and other psychosocial factors have been associated with poor outcomes. Multiple studies have demonstrated sex-based differences in the vascular and endothelial responses to mental stress. Psychosocial stressors were also found to be independent risk factors for the development and progression of CVD. This review arises from accumulating evidence suggesting that psychological well-being may improve cardiac-related outcomes, independent of cardiac risk factors. Despite the fact that positive physician-patient engagement is likely to play a critical role in promoting positive psychological traits and healthy behaviors, current physician awareness and advocacy are rather suboptimal, despite active awareness campaigns such as the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women®. There is a need to further study the role and management of stress as a CVD risk factor, especially in women, who are disproportionately affected.