Health Psychology: Cardiovascular Problems

Cardiovascular system includes

heart, blood vessels, and regulatory mechanisms

Cardiovascular problems may include

heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke

Heightened responsivity to acute mental stress has

adverse effects on cardiovascular health

Chronic stress and personality factors are

also very important

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypertension increases risk for

Heart disease

Kidney disease

Hypertension taxes

the blood vessels

Prevalence of hypertension in North Americans age 35 to 64

27\.6%

Prevalence of hypertension in African Americans

2x greater risk

Hypertension Risk Factors: Excessive

sodium intake

Hypertension Risk Factors: Sympathetic

arousal

Hypertension Risk Factors: Stress

level

Hypertension Risk Factors: Expressed

anger

Psychological factors, such as personality, coping style, and, again, level of stress, have been used to explain

individual differences in blood pressure

Social support important

contributor to cardiovascular

Loneliness, depression, and feelings of uncontrollability are

psychological factors that contribute to cardiovascular

Happiness and optimism are

associated with cardiovascular health

Coronary heart disease (CHD)—

blockage of arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle

Psychological and behavioral risk factor for CHD: Stress,

anxiety, anger

Psychological and behavioral risk factor for CHD: Poor

coping skills

Psychological and behavioral risk factor for CHD: Low

social support

CHD linked to

Type A behavior pattern

CHD also linked to

chronic negative affect, low SES and stressful experiences