Epidemiologic perspective on the role of psychosocial factors.
The pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction is complex and includes long-term effects of risk factors leading to the formation of coronary atherosclerosis, intermediate-term effects of risk factors leading to plaque vulnerability, and short-term effects of triggers that precipitate the onset of acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events. Psychosocial factors may play an etiologic role at each of these stages. The purpose of this brief paper is to identify opportunities and challenges that face the cardiology community over the next decade as we continue to evaluate the role of psychological stressors in the etiology of acute myocardial infarction and other acute cardiovascular events.
Mittleman
M A
MA
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, One Autumn Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA. mmittlem@caregroup.harvard.edu
D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*