Healthcare professionals should consider psychological health in adults with or at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the American Heart Association (AHA) advises in a new scientific report.
The statement, Psychological Health, Wellbeing, and the mind-heart-body connection, noting that psychological health can have positive or negative effects on health and risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Glenn Levine
The AHA has previously issued a scientific statement that dealt with depression and one that dealt with meditation, but “this is the first scientific statement of its kind to address the issue of psychological health more broadly,” the chair of the group wrote Glenn N. Levine, MD, head of epidemiology, told Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston theheart.org | Medscape Epistemology.
“This was especially important to do now with the COVID crisis and all the mental stress that people have under the past year,” said Levine, professor of medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
“Nevertheless, it is clear that the time has come to recognize that we should try to treat not only the disease, but the patient and the person as a whole,” he said.
The statement was published online January 25 in Circulation.
Heart, Body, and Mind Interconnected
The task of the writing group was to evaluate, synthesise and summarize the available evidence on the link between psychological health and CV and to offer simple measures for screening for and ultimately the improvement of patients’ psychological health. with or at risk for CVD.
Depression, constant stress, anxiety, anger, pessimism, and life dissatisfaction are all associated with potentially harmful biological responses. These include heart rate and rhythm irregularities; increased digestive complaints, blood pressure and inflammation; and reduce blood flow to the heart, the writing agency notes.
“A large body of research data now makes it clear that psychological health can affect patients’ heart health, as can diabetes, hip tension, and hyperlipidemia, and that it is likely to Improving the psychological health of our patients leads to a lower card risk down the road, ”Levine said.
The cumulative effect of daily stress and exposure to traumatic events can increase the risk for CVD. Patient self-reports of generalized and work-related stress have been associated with an increased risk of up to 40% of developing or dying from CVD, the writing group notes .
“Most studies of psychological health are observational, with many involving patient self-report, which presents challenges about establishing specific cause-and-effect relationships,” Levine said in a statement. press release.
“However, the frequency of such studies is highly commendable and allows one to make reasonable conclusions about a link between negative psychological health and cardiovascular risk,” he noted.
Negative psychological health is also associated with health behaviors that raise the risk for CVD, including smoking, lower levels of physical activity, unhealthy diet, being obese, and not taking medications. as directed.
The writing group advises regular mental health screening for people with or at risk for CVD, and notes that psychotherapy and psychotherapy programs can lead to better heart health.
Programs that improve psychological health include behavioral psychotherapy, psychotherapy, collaborative care management techniques, stress reduction, and meditation.
On a positive note
Studies have also shown that positive psychological health – including happiness, gratitude, sense of purpose, life satisfaction, and mind – is associated with a lower risk for CVD and an increased likelihood of beneficial health behaviors.
These include smoking cessation, increased physical activity, heart-healthy eating, increased adherence to medication, and regular checkups and health screening.
People with better mental health tend to have positive social relationships, support and connections, which can lead to healthier adaptations to life’s challenges.
“We hope that clinicians understand and recognize that we need to consider not only the patient’s specific illness, but the patient’s psychological health as well,” Levine said. theheart.org | Medscape Epistemology.
“For example, patients with depression are less likely to take the medications we prescribe. Just as we assess and treat more common cardiac risk factors, such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, so we should assess and address psychological factors, which may affect our patients’ cardiovascular risk, risk and prognosis, “he said.
The writing agency does not have any relevant information. Seo s a cientific statement was prepared by the voluntary writing agency on behalf of the AHA Clinical Knowledge Advice; the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Stroke; and the Council on Lifestyle and Metabolic Health.
Circulation. Published online January 25, 2021. Summary