Expert: Broaden heart disease prevention

A British study has spurred a Swiss doctor to advise that medicine’s approach to heart disease should be broadened.

In an editorial in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Roland von Kanel of the University of Bern, Switzerland, suggests looking at both behavioral and psychological factors when trying to cut the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The British study of more than 6,000 people in Scotland participating in a health survey showed psychological distress — such as anxiety and depression — significantly contributed to increased heart disease risk, but factors such as smoking and lack of physical exercise also played a large role. The study researchers suggested those having psychological distress may be more likely to smoke and not exercise.

This study helps us to better understand the relative contributions of stress-related changes in behavior and physiology leading to heart disease, von Kanel said in a statement. From a public health perspective, the findings encourage us to emphasize broad preventive strategies to target the behavioral and physiological pathways leading from stress to cardiovascular disease.

He suggests using behavioral interventions targeting smoking cessation and increasing physical activity, to stress management and relaxation techniques previously shown to restore cardiovascular function and to reduce inflammation.