Psychosocial factors in cardiovascular disease: implications for therapeutic outcomes

Abstract

The etiology of cardiovascular diseases is complex, involving the interaction of genetic, biologic, behavioral and psychosocial factors. The role played by psychosocial factors in the etiology and progression of cardiovascular diseases stems from several sources: their influence on behaviors that either promote health or increase risk, the neuroendocrine changes accompanying emotions and their interaction with genetic factors. The focus of this article is the elucidation of pathways that mediate the effects of psychosocial factors on cardiovascular health and the implications for clinical intervention.