Psychosocial Issues in Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
Hypertension
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.
Pharmacotherapy
The treatment of a disorder or disease with pharmaceutical drugs.
Epidemiology
The study and analysis of the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other determinants of health at the population level.
Social Determinants of Health
The economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status (e.g., SES, access to resources)
Comorbid
More than one disease or condition is present in the same person at the same time; often co-occurring with a primary condition.
Cardiac Event
Any incidents that may cause damage to the heart muscle.
Dose-Response Relationship
Greater use of/exposure to a substance is associated with greater effect.
Heart Failure
A chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should for your body’s needs.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Improper/irregular beating of the heart (too fast or too slow)
Cross-Sectional Study
A type of observational study that analyzes data from a population at one specific point in time.
Systemic Racism
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.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
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.
Positive Psychology
The scientific study of what makes life worth living and the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.
Psychosocial Factors
Characteristics or facets that influence an individual psychologically and/or socially (e.g. stress, hostility).
Morbidity
Illness or disease.
Mortality
Death
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
Is an event in which a tear forms in an artery inside of the heart.
Social Integration
Refers to an individual’s level of engagement in social relationships and how frequently they interact with those relationships.
Selective Serotoin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
A class of antidepressants
Summary
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.
