How do Psychosocial Factors Influence Cardiac Health Essay

How do psychosocial factors influence cardiac health? Cardiac related health problems are one of the leading causes of death in industrialized areas throughout the Western world.1 Psychosocial factors such as stress and anxiety are often disregarded but have a major role to play in the development of cardiac disease. These factors are mostly manageable, allowing the risk of cardiac disease to decrease. This paper aims to discuss the influence of these psychosocial risk factors on cardiac health using the findings of epidemiological studies and the pathophysiology. The management of these risk factors will also be discussed. This will aid an understanding of the psychosocial factors that may have influenced Mr. Petersen’s health and his†¦show more content†¦Anxiety is a universal response to a threat but at times that response can be out of proportion to the threat, this is an example of abnormal anxiety and is closely associated with anxiety disorders. Symptoms of anxiety disorders often relate to the heart such as: pal pitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate and, chest pain or discomfort.2 According to Janeway1, â€Å"stress is a physical or psychological stimulus which, when impinging upon an individual , produces strain or disequilibrium†.1 Stress is a biological, physiological and behavioural response to environmental demands. An appropriate amount of stress has protective and adaptive functions however a high amount of stress can cause pathological changes or even death.4 Exposure to stress can lead to painful emotions such as anxiety or depression, as well as physical illness.3 People under an overwhelming amount of stress may experience tachycardia, palpitations and rapid breathing.7 Pathophysiology of anxiety and stress in cardiac disease When placed in situations that cause stress or anxiety, the body initiates sympathetic activity. This is accomplished by the adrenaline response, otherwise known as â€Å"fight or flight†. This response is protective and occurs very quickly, it gives rise to an increase in metabolic activity, heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. In situations of chronic stress and emotional disturbances,Show MoreRelatedCongenital Heart Disease ( Chd )3504 Words   |  15 Pagesover the past two decades (U.S. Department of Health Human Services, 2017), and the decrease in the death rates from CHD, with this population now living into adulthood (Pillutla, Shetty, Foster, 2008). Costs related to the care of children with CHD are greater than $5.6 billion dollars a year, with an average hospitalization costing more than $25,000 (Simeone et al., 2014). 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