Childhood Adversity and Cardiovascular Disease; Current Knowledge and Future Directions

To review the current state of the science relating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cardiovascular health and disease.

Recent work has demonstrated associations between ACEs and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and has additionally shed a light on potential mechanistic pathways noting associations between ACEs and genomics, vascular health and cardiac structure. Existing work has advanced our understanding of the mechanisms by which ACEs are associated with CVD, yet much work remains particularly as we strive to understand how to ameliorate the impact of ACEs on CVD. Future research on interventions that promote cardiovascular health and integrate ACEs and emotional wellbeing are needed. A multilevel framework that understands how sociopolitical, neighborhood and family level factors contribute to childhood experiences is necessary to address the root causes of ACEs.