Biobehavioral factors in the context of ischemic cardiovascular diseases

• Published in: Journal of Psychosomatic Research Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 339 - 345
• Main Authors: Wielgosz, Andreas T, Nolan, Robert P
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.04.2000; New York, NY Elsevier
• Subjects: Biobehavioral risk factors; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiopathies: etiologic forms (general aspects and miscellaneous); Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - complications; Epidemiologic Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Behavior; Heart; Humans; Illness and personality; Illness, stress and coping; Life Style; Medical sciences; Myocardial Ischemia - epidemiology; Myocardial Ischemia - etiology; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Risk Factors; Social Isolation; Stress, Psychological; Type A behaviour; Biobehavioral risk factors; Cardiovascular epidemiology; Mood disorder; Anger; Social environment; Human; Type A behavior; Socioeconomic status; Disease; Attitude; Mental health; Cardiovascular disease; Depression; Emotion emotionality; Personality; Review; Epidemiology; Stress; Individual behavior; Etiology; Social isolation; Risk factor; Clinical investigation; Public health; Somatic disease; International
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3999(99)00093-8

Objective: We set out to examine the development of current thinking on the relationship between behavioral factors and ischemic heart disease, with the latter being viewed as an epidemic. Methods: The present work is a nonsystematic review of the subject. Results: Atherogenic components of the coronary-prone or type A behavior pattern (TABP), including hostility, cynicism, and suppression of anger, as well as stress reactivity, depression, and social isolation, are emerging as particularly significant behavioral characteristics, although their pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. Effective patient management, particularly for lifestyle modification, requires an appreciation of an individual's stage in their readiness to change. Conclusion: The control and prevention of cardiovascular diseases depend on a multidisciplinary approach that recognizes the importance and intricacies of lifestyle behaviors.