Health Psychology and Lifestyle Factors

A comprehensive set of flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts related to health psychology, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle factors.

Type A Personality

Personality type linked to competitiveness, impatience, and hostility, associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Reactivity Model

The theory that hostility and anger can lead to increased physiological responses such as blood flow, affecting heart health.

Impedance Cardiography

A technique used to measure blood flow and cardiovascular reactivity by assessing resistance to electrical signals in the body.

Secondhand Smoke

Smoke inhaled involuntarily from tobacco being smoked by others, posing health risks similar to smoking itself.

Anxiolytic

Substance that helps reduce anxiety; often refers to alcohol or medications.

Gut Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in the digestive tracts, influencing health and disease.

Inflammation

A biological response to harmful stimuli, which can contribute to various diseases including heart disease and cancer.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar that increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

Prebiotics

Substances that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms, often found in high-fiber foods.

Exercise

Physical activity that improves health, reduces disease risk, and boosts mood.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

A program designed to reduce stress through mindfulness meditation practices.

Inflammatory Mechanisms

Processes in the body related to inflammation that can exacerbate chronic conditions like depression and heart disease.

Cardiovascular Disease

A broad term for conditions involving narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Emotional Focused Coping

Coping strategy aimed at reducing emotional distress rather than addressing the source of the problem.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, with significant functions in both the brain and gut.

Cirrhosis

Severe scarring of the liver often resulting from prolonged alcohol abuse or liver inflammation.

Diabetes

A chronic condition where the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it does produce.

Stress Response

The body's reaction to perceived threats, involving physiological changes that prepare for 'fight or flight'.

Fecal Transplant

A procedure to restore the gut microbiome by introducing healthy bacteria from another person's stool.

Hostility

A psychological state characterized by a tendency to react with anger and aggression, significantly impacting cardiovascular health.