Reprint of: Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Health Promotion Series

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 72; no. 23 Pt B; pp. 3012 - 3026
• Main Authors: Kubzansky, Laura D, Huffman, Jeff C, Boehm, Julia K, Hernandez, Rosalba, Kim, Eric S, Koga, Hayami K, Feig, Emily H, Lloyd-Jones, Donald M, Seligman, Martin E P, Labarthe, Darwin R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Limited 11.12.2018
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adjustment; Anxiety; Cardiology; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical trials; Happiness; Heart; Mental depression; Mortality; Objectives; Optimism; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological aspects; Psychological factors; Skills; Studies; Workplaces; Writing; cardiovascular disease; positive psychological well-being; optimism; health behaviors; cardiovascular health
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.023

Facets of positive psychological well-being, such as optimism, have been identified as positive health assets because they are prospectively associated with the 7 metrics of cardiovascular health (CVH) and improved outcomes related to cardiovascular disease. Connections between psychological well-being and cardiovascular conditions may be mediated through biological, behavioral, and psychosocial pathways. Individual-level interventions, such as mindfulness-based programs and positive psychological interventions, have shown promise for modifying psychological well-being. Further, workplaces are using well-being-focused interventions to promote employee CVH, and these interventions represent a potential model for expanding psychological well-being programs to communities and societies. Given the relevance of psychological well-being to promoting CVH, this review outlines clinical recommendations to assess and promote well-being in encounters with patients. Finally, a research agenda is proposed. Additional prospective observational studies are needed to understand mechanisms underlying the connection between psychological well-being and cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, rigorous intervention trials are needed to assess whether psychological well-being-promoting programs can improve cardiovascular outcomes.