Psychosocial Issues in Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

Hypertension

Answer 1

High blood pressure; a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

Question 2

Pharmacotherapy

Answer 2

The treatment of a disorder or disease with pharmaceutical drugs.

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

The study and analysis of the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other determinants of health at the population level.

Question 4

Social Determinants of Health

Answer 4

The economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status (e.g., SES, access to resources)

Question 5

Comorbid

Answer 5

More than one disease or condition is present in the same person at the same time; often co-occurring with a primary condition.

Question 6

Cardiac Event

Answer 6

Any incidents that may cause damage to the heart muscle.

Question 7

Dose-Response Relationship

Answer 7

Greater use of/exposure to a substance is associated with greater effect.

Question 8

Heart Failure

Answer 8

A chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should for your body’s needs.

Question 9

Cardiac Arrhythmia

Answer 9

Improper/irregular beating of the heart (too fast or too slow)

Question 10

Cross-Sectional Study

Answer 10

A type of observational study that analyzes data from a population at one specific point in time.

Question 11

Systemic Racism

Answer 11

A formof racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization. It manifests as discrimination in areas such as criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, education, and political representation.

Question 12

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Answer 12

A psychosocial intervention aimed at reducing symptoms of mental health conditions, by challenging and changing cognitive distortions (thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) and their associated behavior to improve emotional regulation and develop coping strategies.

Question 13

Positive Psychology

Answer 13

The scientific study of what makes life worth living and the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Question 14

Psychosocial Factors

Answer 14

Characteristics or facets that influence an individual psychologically and/or socially (e.g. stress, hostility).

Question 15

Morbidity

Answer 15

Illness or disease.

Question 16

Mortality

Answer 16

Death

Question 17

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)

Answer 17

Is an event in which a tear forms in an artery inside of the heart.

Question 18

Social Integration

Answer 18

Refers to an individual’s level of engagement in social relationships and how frequently they interact with those relationships.

Question 19

Selective Serotoin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer 19

A class of antidepressants

Question 20

Summary

Answer 20

A large body of research now demonstrates the signifcant role that psychosocial factors play in development, progression, and prognosis of CVD. The strength of the effect of psychosocial factors on CVD outcomes is often similar to the strength of traditional risk factors. In some cases, the negative effects of psychosocial risk factors are particularly salient and stronger for women as compared to men.