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Life satisfaction and coronary atherosclerosis: The SCAPIS study
Y Natt Och Dag1, G Engström2, M Rosvall3
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|November 19, 2021
Summary
Higher life satisfaction is linked to better coronary artery health. This connection is primarily explained by a reduced number of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with greater life satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Psychological well-being
- Cardiovascular health
- Preventive medicine
Background:
- Growing interest in the health benefits of positive psychological states for cardiovascular health.
- Life satisfaction, a component of well-being, has been understudied in relation to early cardiovascular disease.
- Limited research exists on the association between life satisfaction and coronary atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between life satisfaction and coronary artery disease.
- To explore associations between psychological well-being and subclinical cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-sectional data from the SCAPIS Malmö study (n=6251, aged 50-64).
- Assessed life satisfaction and coronary artery calcification.
- Adjusted for sociodemographic factors, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors (SCORE).
Main Results:
- Higher life satisfaction correlated with lower odds of increased coronary artery calcification.
- The association remained significant after adjustments for sociodemographic factors and depression.
- The link lost statistical significance after accounting for cardiovascular risk factors.
- A dose-response relationship was observed between life satisfaction and coronary calcification grade.
Conclusions:
- Life satisfaction is associated with better coronary artery health in a population-based sample.
- Cardiovascular risk factors largely mediate this association.
- Life satisfaction may influence coronary atherosclerosis by reducing cardiovascular risk factor burden.
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