11.19 : Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.

A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary heart disease (CHD). Psychological stress has been found to increase CHD risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure, arterial plaque buildup, and heart rhythm irregularities. Stress-related hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, can impair cardiovascular function by triggering inflammatory responses that accelerate plaque formation in blood vessels. Studies show that individuals exposed to high levels of stress, whether due to significant life events or ongoing pressures, are more likely to experience CHD and recurrent heart issues.

Additionally, stress can indirectly elevate CHD risk by encouraging unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. People experiencing prolonged stress are more likely to adopt habits detrimental to heart health, such as poor diet, inactivity, smoking, and disrupted sleep patterns. Workplace stress, in particular, has been linked to increased risks of CHD, depression, sleep disturbances, and decreased physical activity. Given these associations, interventions that focus on stress management, including mental well-being promotion and lifestyle modifications, are essential for reducing both the direct and indirect effects of stress on heart disease, underscoring the importance of PNI in understanding the impact of psychological factors on health.