Up to 90 percent of cardiovascular disease risk factors are non-genetic and modifiable, including how individuals experience and manage stress
Research from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Medicine highlights a strong connection between psychological health and cardiovascular well-being, with an important focus on racial differences.
The Role of Psychological Health in Cardiovascular Health: A Racial Comparison,” is published in the journal Healthcare as part of the special issue Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Chronic Illness Experience: A Health Psychology Perspective.
According to the journal’s website, the special issue seeks to deepen the understanding of the multifaceted elements that are related to physical health and the experience of receiving healthcare, thereby aligning with the journal’s scope and objectives. By focusing on health psychology, the editors hope to draw attention to and highlight cutting-edge research and innovative practices that contribute to health promotion, illness prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, palliative care, health policy and the improvement of the healthcare system.
Lead author Briana Sprague, PhD, highlights the study’s major findings, including the importance of emotional well-being in cardiovascular health and the implications for addressing racial disparities in heart disease.
90 percent of heart attacks attributable to environmental factors
The study analyzed data from the Midlife in the United States survey available through the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging, to explore how both negative and positive psychological factors relate to cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular health was measured using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metrics, which include diet, physical activity and blood pressure.
Psychological health influences physical health directly and indirectly
Among the key findings, positive psychological well-being showed a stronger association with cardiovascular health than psychological distress, particularly among Black adults. Emotional regulation stood out as one of the most powerful predictors of heart health.
A great opportunity to explore the benefits of psychological health
Traditional cardiovascular risk assessments often focus on factors like cholesterol and smoking, which, while important, may overlook additional critical contributors to heart health outcomes. Psychological well-being plays a crucial role in healthy behaviors such as diet, physical activity and treatment adherence, factors that both influence and reflect physical health.
Dr. Sprague suggests that mental and emotional wellness is not only about reducing distress, but also about fostering resilience and positive emotions, which could be essential for reducing racial disparities in heart disease.
By emphasizing strengths and resilience, this research advocates for a more comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health. One that incorporates psychological well-being as a core element. This adds to growing evidence highlighting the vital mind-body connection in heart health.
Screening for stress helps guide non-traditional recommendations
Author list and affiliations as listed in the publication
Briana N Sprague1,2, Kelly M Mosesso3
1Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
2Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
3Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Briana N. Sprague, PhD
In addition to her role as a research scientist at Regenstrief Institute, Briana Sprague, PhD, is an assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
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