C-Reactive Protein, Subjective Aging, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: A Mediation Model

Negative self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and an older subjective age are associated with a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease. We predicted that C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of stress-related inflammation, would mediate this relation.

Data from up to 6 602 participants ages 50-101 in the Health and Retirement Study (2008-2018) were analyzed using logistic regressions with mediation. Subjective aging was assessed in 2008 or 2010, CRP was assessed 2 years later, and diagnosis of heart disease or stroke was assessed in the years from CRP measurement to 2018.

Significant indirect effects occurred in all models, indicating that negative SPA and older subjective age are associated with a greater likelihood of heart disease and stroke through elevated levels of the inflammatory marker CRP.

These findings suggest that psychological factors such as subjective aging impact cardiovascular health through physiological mechanisms, specifically markers of inflammation.